Abstract:This work was done to study the effect of base analogue 5-bromouracil (5-BU) on the medicinal herb, Cichorium intybus. 5-BU induced miss pairing during the DNA replication. The seeds of C. intybus were treated with different concentrations of 5-BU. Variations in some parameters such as seed germination, seedling survival, seedling height, pollen fertility, days to flowering, days to maturity, number of leaves per plant, plant height, and chromosome behavior were studied in M1 generation. A positive correlation… Show more
Comprehensive studies on meiotic behavior and pollen biology of a species are crucial for its conservation strategies. The presence of meiotic bottlenecks directly or indirectly influences the reproductive success of a plant species. The present study records chromosome number, male meiotic behavior, seed set, pollen viability, and pollen germination in two populations of Swertia thomsonii, an important medicinal plant of Himalaya. The chromosome count recorded in both accessions was 2n=2x=26, however; chromosomal abnormalities (21.23 and 4.31%) were recorded in population 1 (Pop-1) and population 2 (Pop-2), respectively. These include chromosomal stickiness, out of the plate, formation of laggards, abnormal spindles, bridges, multipolarity, and polysporads. These meiotic irregularities compromise pollen viability, pollen germination, and seed set of species. The possible cause for these recorded meiotic abnormalities was cold stress as the species grows in temperate or sub-alpine regions with cold climatic conditions. Another possible reason might be the presence of heavy metals in the soil more than permissible limits, which was determined by soil sample analysis. Therefore, these findings along with other reproductive and ecological studies can aid in the development of successful conservation and management strategies for this medicinally important plant species.
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