Indian Society of Genetics & Plant Breeding
AMONG the numerous radiomimetic chemicals now known, the alkylating agents have
been found to be the most potent in a wide array of organisms. Within the alkylating
group, EMS - ethylmethane sulphonate (CH3SO.OC.H5) - has been found to be
a very effective mutagen in Drosophila (Fahmy and Fahmy, 1957), Neurospora (Kolmark,
1956), phage T. (Loveless, 1959), bacteria (Loveless and Howarth, 1959) and barley
(Heslot and Ferray, 1958; Heslot, Ferray, Levy and Monard, 1959; Gustafsson;
1960; Ehrenberg, 1960; Ehrenberg, Gustafsson, and Lundquist, 1961; Konzak,
Nilan, Harle and Heiner, 1961). Analysing the forward mutation rates at four
specific loci for albinism in barley, Favret (1960) found that EMS acts as a selective
mutagen. Favret (1960) further reported that unlike ionizing radiations, EMS hardly
ever induces chromosome breakage. A much higher frequency of viable in comparison
to lethal or sub-lethal mutations has been obtained in barley after treatment with EMS
(Ehrenberg et al., 1961). This chemical has in addition the practical advantages
of greater solubility and slower rate of hydrolysis and thus qualifies in all respects for
being considered a " good mutagen" (Loveless, 1960). We, therefore, undertook a
study of the cytological and genetic effects of this chemical in barley and wheat and the
results are presented in this paper.
Year: 1962
Volume: 22
Issue: 3
Article DOI: NA
Print ISSN: 0019-5200
Online ISSN: 0975-6906
M. S. SWAMINATHAN, V. L. CHOPRA and S. BHASKARAN info_circle
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