Morphological and chromosomal abnormalities in gamma radiation-induced mutagenized faba bean genotypes

Abstract

Purpose: This study was conducted to evaluate and compare the influence of gamma radiations on morphological and chromosomal abnormalities in twenty mutagenized faba bean populations, representing first and second generations (M₁ and M₂) of five faba bean genotypes.

Materials and methods: Five faba bean genotypes were exposed at two doses of gamma radiations (25 and 50 Gy). For determining the types of chromosomal aberrations caused by the gamma radiation, mitotic and meiotic cells were isolated from root tips and pollen mother cells, respectively.

Results: The M₁ generations of the five genotypes varied for sensitivity to gamma radiations, for seedling emergence. The genotype Skah 2 was more sensitive than other genotypes, the order of sensitivity of other genotypes was Misr 3 > ILB 4347 > Hassawi 2 > Hassawi 3. However, seedling emergence of the M₂ generations was not as much reduced as that of the M₁ generations. Ten different chlorophyll-deficient mutants were identified among the M₂ generations. Gamma radiations also caused the development of abnormal leaflets, flowers and pollen grains. The most common types of chromosome aberrations in the mitotic cells were stickiness, laggard and chromosome breaks, whereas the most common types in the meiotic cells were stickiness and disturbed polarity.

Conclusion: The gamma radiation decreased the seedling emergence and induced a wide range of morphological and chromosomal abnormalities in faba bean.

Keywords:

• Faba bean
• mutagenized population
• gamma radiation
• morphological abnormality
• chromosome aberration

Disclosure statement

The authors report no conflicts of interest.

Notes on contributors

Nurmansyah is plant breeder working on crop improvements for tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses utilizing classical and molecular tools. His research is focused on mutation breeding.

Salem S. Alghamdi is Professor of Plant Breeding. He is involved in conservation and utilization of plant genetic resource for crop improvements. His research is focused on development of high-yielding and nutritionally enriched legume crops for stressful environments.

Hussein M. Migdadi is Associate Professor of Molecular Plant Breeding. He is involved in molecular characterization of plant biodiversity, use of statistical methods in natural resources management, and evaluation and utilization of plant genetic resources for tolerance against abiotic stresses.

Muhammad Farooq is Associate Professor of Crop Physiology. His research is focused exploring the mechanisms and causes of the stress effects on plant growth and development. He is also working to develop climate resilient management strategies for harvesting good crop yields under dry and hot environments.

Additional information

Funding

The authors extend their appreciation to the International Scientific Partnership Program (ISPP) at King Saud University for funding this research work through ISPP# 0085.