SPONTANEOUS CHROMOSOME ABERRATIONS IN MELANDRIUM

Abstract

Chromosome aberrations were observed in root tip cells of Melandrium album. These aberrations were generally in the form of dicentric chromosomes involving bridge formation, ring chromosomes, fragments and elimination of acentric fragments from daughter nuclei. All the aberrations varied from 19.6 to 10.7 per cent in the first and second generation seedlings respectively. The chromosome irregularities and abortion of pollen grains (4.0 to 5.0%) are presumably due to gene mutation which has been enhanced in aged seeds.