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POLLEN IRRADIATION IN COTTON (GOSSYPIUM HIRSUTUM L.)

M. ASLAM, R.M.S. IQBAL, M.B.CHAUDHRY AND A.A. BANDESHA

Abstract: Response of cotton pollen to 05, 1.0, 2 and 5 kR of gammarays prior to cross pollination was determined in various cross-combinations. A low dose of 0.5 kR applied to pollen enhanced boll set and seeds per pollination, whereas pollen irradiation with higher doses of 2.0 to 5.0 kR, before cross polinations showed a sharp decline in boll set and seed production compared to control treatment. M₁ generation studies showed that higher doses of 2.0 to 5.0 kR of pollen radiation decreased the emergence and survival rate whereas phenotypic and fertility changes significantly increased at 2.0 kR. Varietal response to pollen radiation was non significant for phenotypic changes but significant for fertility changes. Treatment of pollen with 0.5 to 1.0 kR of gamma-rays is suitable for inducing useful genetic ,variability in cotton.

Nuclear Institute for Agriculture and Biology, Faisalabad, Pakistan.