Palynological and Stomatal Characters Influenced by Gamma Rays in Gladiolus Cultivars

Abstract

Article InfoAn experiment was conducted at the experimental farm of Department of Floriculture and Landscaping, Punjab Agricultural University Ludhiana (Punjab). Uniform size (4cm) and healthy corms of gladiolus varieties viz. 'Punjab Glance' and 'Sylvia' were irradiated with different doses (0,50,100,125,150 Gy) of gamma rays. Each treatment was replicated thrice. Results revealed that pollen fertility, size, stomata number, size and number of chloroplast decreased with the increasing dose of irradiation. In acetocarmine test, pollen fertility was recorded maximum in non-irradiated pollen in both varieties (91.96, 90.70 %) while minimum viability was observed in both varieties treated with 150 Gy. Maximum pollen size, number of stomata, stomata size and number of chloroplast per guard cell was recorded in 50 Gy and minimum at 150 Gy as compared to control in both varieties. Out of two varieties 'Punjab Glance' exhibits more palynological and stomatal characters.