Winter wheat cytogenetic variability under the action of a chemical supermutagen

The analysis of cytogenetic activity is a key component in determining prospects of future hereditary variability after, subject to a certain mutagenic factor, primarily identifying the significance of the genotype-mutagenic interaction, the correctness of the selected concentrations for more thorough screening of some development parameters. Winter wheat seeds of eight varieties (Balaton, Borovytsia, Zeleny Gai, Zoloto Ukrainy, Kalancha, Niva Odeska, Polyanka, Pochayna) were subjected to ЕМS (ethylmethansulfonate) at the concentrations of 0.025%, 0.05%, 0.10% The exposure lasted for 24 hours. Cytogenetic analysis was carried out for pollen fertility; we also examined the rates and spectras of chromosomal rebuildings in proper cell devision phases in relation to plant gcnotype and concentration of the mutagen. The experiment was aimed at identification of interrection between geotype, concentration of mutagen and mutagen nature, determining genome response to mutagen action. Such indicators of cytogenetic activity as the total rate of chromosomal abnormalities, fragments and double fragments, single and double bridges, micronucleus and lagging chromosomes were studied. The selected concentrations of the mutagen significantly influenced all the analyzed parameters, they can be attributed to the optimal and high range of concentrations according to the nature of the impact on bread wheat. We determined that in the case of the mutagenic action, the genotype had a significantly lesser effect on the nature and rate of individual aberrations than an increase in the concentration, while having a significant effect on the rate of increase in pollen sterility. The mutagen was characterized by a significantly lower site-specificity at the cellular level than other chemical supermutagens, manifesting only in the correlation between individual types of aberrations, but not in the character of the increase in their number. The key parameter to identify the activity of this agent was the frequency of fragments and double fragments, their ratio with bridges.