Stability parameters of wheat mutants

Persistence of chromosomal aberrations in mutated populations of Triticum aestivum.

“…For creating useful genetic variability, it therefore seems more appropriate to use chemical mutagens such as ethyle methane sulphonate (EMS) which induce point mutations instead of gamma rays and fast neutrons which produce a syndrome of chromosomal aberrations. In addition to already known stability parameters (Ghafoor Arain and Siddiqui 1977), mutants derived from physical mutagens must also be screened throughly for cytological stability before release as a new variety in any agricultural environment.…”

“…The present investigations are expected to widen the range of cytological ob servations on the relative effectiveness of fast neutrons and gamma rays illustrated through the meiotic behaviour of the mutated populations of two contemporary varieties of bread wheat having wide adaptation patterns (Ghafoor Arain and Siddiqui 1977). The findings have practical implications (Siddiqui 1978a) as more and more varieties of crop plants are being released through the use of physical mutagens such as gamma rays and fast neutrons.…”