Premium
Induced Sterility and Assiciated Effects of Dimethylarsinic Acid Treatment of Pearl Millet 1
Author(s) -
Powell Jerrel B.,
Taylorson R. B.
Publication year - 1967
Publication title -
crop science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.76
H-Index - 147
eISSN - 1435-0653
pISSN - 0011-183X
DOI - 10.2135/cropsci1967.0011183x000700060035x
Subject(s) - biology , sterility , gynoecium , pollen , pennisetum , botany , pearl , chromosome pairing , germination , chromosome , gene , stamen , genetics , philosophy , theology
We have further investigated dimethylarsinic acid because of its possible gametocidal activity, using the prolific‐seeding pearl millet, Pennisetum typhoides (Burm.) Stapf and C. E. Hubb. Seed set, pollen stainability, chromosome pairing, length of tillers, and other characteristics were evaluated. Foliar‐spray applications (183 grams per hectare) at early growth stages selectively modified floral structures, the gynoecium being the most sensitive. Multiple and intermediately modified pistils were observed in single spikelets. A significant increase in number of chromosome univalents in microsporocytes was associated with treatment dose and seed set was markedly reduced. No one causal factor was found to have a dominant influence on sterility, although selective interference with normal tissue differentiation and retarded cell elongation of floral structures played an important part.