Radiation-Induced Reciprocal Translocations in Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.)

Seeds of Carthatnus tinctorius L. (2n=24), an oil yielding plant, were treated with different doses (5, 10, 15, 20, 25kR) of gamma rays. Three translocation heterozygotes were observed at meiotic division for 10- and 25-kR doses. The induced translocation heterozygotes showed a ring or chain of four chromosomes in most of the cells at diakinesis/metaphase I. The induced mutants showed unequal distribution at anaphase I, reduced vigour, delayed flowering, low flower number, low pollen fertility, and low seed sets as compared to control plants. Induction of permanent chromosomal structural changes may also sometime bring out favorable morphological variation. It is expected that the mutant, when established, could be used in further cytological and breeding programs.