Artificial Aging Effect on Germination, Chromosomal Changes and Yield in Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)

Abstract

This study includes the artificial aging effect on seed germination, chromosomal changes and yield in chickpea (Cicer arietinurn L. var. Nobin}. Aging of seeds was made artificially by constant temperature at 30°, 32°, 35° and 40°C for 7-, 10- and 15-days treatment durations. Control seeds were not treated. It was found that both in laboratory and in the field, germination percentage decreased gradually with the increase of temperature as well as treatment durations. Untreated seeds showed the highest percentage of germination. Maximum number of anaphase cells were observed in longer ones compared to short sized roots. In most of the treatments minimum root length with maximum anaphase cells was found to be 1.5 mm. Seeds with delayed germination began mitosis at root length below than 1.0 mm. Aberrant anaphase cells were studied at different germinating root lengths. In root lengths above 4. 0 mm frequency of aberrant anaphase was found to increase. With increase of temperature, it was also found to increase with treatment durations aberrant anaphase showed positive and negative relationship. In some cases, their relationship was not found. Mean percentage of dividing cells determined at the root length of 1.0-1.5 cm was found to decrease with the increase of temperature as well as treatment durations. Significant effect of temperature, treatment duration and their interaction were found also to cause the chromosomal anomalies. Laggards and bridges were highly significant at 40°C for all the treatment durations.