Induction and Comparison of Induced And Natural Polyploids of Momordica Dioica

Abstract

In an attempt to develop seedless Momordica dioica Roxb., diploid, triploid and tetraploid genotypes having chromosome numbers 2n=28, 3n=42 and 4n=56 respectively were treated with aqueous colchicine solution of different concentrations namely, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0:1 and 1.0% colchicine was applied with different methods viz., dipping, dropping and immersed on seeds and 2, 4 and 6 days old seedling for the induction of artificial polyploid type. Abnormal seedling growth, reduction in germination and significant delay in germination time were recorded, when both duration of treatment time and concentration of colchicine were gradually increased. Affected percentage was very high in the dropping method in 4 and 6 days old seedling when higher concentration and long treatment time were given. Mortality percentage was very high when the shoot tips were immersed for long time, and no plant was found to survive when seedlings were dipped in any strength of colchicine solution for 24h. From the affected seeds, ------