EMS induced karyomorphological variations in Cichorium intybus L.

Abstract

Cytogenetical investigations were carried out in Cichorium intybus plants derived from EMS treated seeds at 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4 and 0.5% concentrations. The plants in the treated populations showed varying degrees of meiotic irregularities almost at all mutagenic concentrations. Variations in some parameters such as seed germination, pollen fertility, days to flowering, days to maturity, number of leaves per plant, leaf length, plant height, and chromosome behavior have been studied in M1 generation. A positive correlation between increasing concentrations of mutagen and chromosomal aberration has been observed.