The recovery of mitotic disturbances in the root systems of gamma-ray irradiated peas

Authors

• E. I. Kivi Plant Breeding Institute of Hankkija, Tammisto, Helsingin pit. Finland
• J. T. H. Barkman Plant Breeding Institute of Hankkija, Tammisto, Helsingin pit. Finland

DOI: https://doi.org/10.23986/afsci.71682

Abstract

Dormant seeds of a green pea variety Rondo were irradiated with 7000 rads of gamma rays from Co60 source. The frequency of mitotic disturbances in root tip cells was analysed during the first three weeks of growth. In agreement with earlier works a rapid decrease of frequency was observed: during the 4th and 5th days of growing the proportion of disturbances was reduced from 42 to 19 per cent and it came close to the level of the control material during the third week of growth. The discussion briefly examines the importance of the »sieve of mitosis» and its relation to the »sieve of meiosis» in eliminating the changes of hereditary material during the development of the M1-generation.