Production of fodder crop mutants using nuclear techniques in Cuba

Botanic and agamic seed, and in vitro tissue cultures of certain fodder crops of economic importance in Cuba, were irradiated with gamma rays to obtain mutants. In the first stage of the work, radiation sensitivity curves were determined for the agamic and botanic seed of King grass (Pennisetum purpureum), star grass (Cynodon nlemfuensis) and horse tamarind (Leucaena leucocephala). The stimulation doses needed to bring about a 50% reduction in growth were calculated. In the second stage of the work, the mutants obtained for King grass were identified by visual observation and morphophysiological and agronomical measurements. In addition, the genetic markers were determined by electrophoresis. A start has been made on evaluating the promising mutants in field conditions in order to develop the requisite technology for cultivation under irrigated and dry conditions. (author). 2 refs, 6 tabs