[Estimation of efficiency of seed irradiation by thermal neutrons for inducing chromosomal aberration in M2 of cotton Gossipium hirsutum L].

Cytogenetic analysis of M2 plants after irradiation of cotton by thermal neutrons was performed in 56 families. In 40 plants of 27 M2 families, different abnormalities of chromosome pairing were found. These abnormalities were caused by primary monosomy, chromosomal interchange, and desynapsis. The presence of chromosome aberrations in some cases decreased meiotic index and pollen fertility. Comparison of the results of cytogenetics analysis, performed in M1 and M2 after irradiation, showed a nearly two-fold decrease in the number of plants with chromosomal aberrations in M2, as well as narrowing of the spectrum of these aberrations. The latter result is explained by the fact that some mutations are impossible to detect in subsequent generations because of complete or partial sterility of aberrant M1 plants. It was established that the most efficient radiation doses for inducing chromosomal aberrations in the present study were 15 and 25 Gy, since they affected survival and fertility of altered plant to a lesser extent.