Genetical and cytological response of three tomato varieties to gamma rays

Seeds of the tomato varieties, i.e, No. 10, bison and kecskement were irradiated with 12 krad. The abnormalities in the meiotic stages of pollen mother cells in both M1 and M2 were evaluated. The 3 varieties were greatly varied in the percentage of abnormalities occurred. The variety No. 10 showed the maximum percentage of lagging chromosomes. Meanwhile, the variety was super accounted in stickiness or clumping chromosomes, chromatid bridges and micronuclei. Whereas, the highest percentage of disturbed chromosomes and sterility was concerning to the variety kecskement. Different types of abnormalities such as stickiness, disturbed chromosomes, chromatid bridges, micronuclei and pollen sterility highly occurred in M2 than M1. Meanwhile, the percentage of lagging chromosomes reached the maximum in M1 rather than in M2. It could be mentioned that pollen sterility was increased by radiation treatment in tomato varieties. This sterility reached the maximum in M2. This was attributed to the increase in the chromosomal abnormalities in M2. A number of mutants, i.e., dwarf, non-branching, sterile plants and variations in fruit weight, had been occurred in the M2 as a function of gamma irradiation. 13 figs., 1 tab