Abstract
Purpose: This study was conducted to evaluate and compare the influence of gamma radiations on morphological and chromosomal abnormalities in twenty mutagenized faba bean populations, representing first and second generations (M
1
and M
2
) of five faba bean genotypes.
Materials and methods: Five faba bean genotypes were exposed at two doses of gamma radiations (25 and 50 Gy). For determining the types of chromosomal aberrations caused by the gamma radiation, mitotic and meiotic cells were isolated from root tips and pollen mother cells, respectively.
Results: The M
1
generations of the five genotypes varied for sensitivity to gamma radiations, for seedling emergence. The genotype Skah 2 was more sensitive than other genotypes, the order of sensitivity of other genotypes was Misr 3 > ILB 4347 > Hassawi 2 > Hassawi 3. However, seedling emergence of the M
2
generations was not as much reduced as that of the M
1
generations. Ten different chlorophyll-deficient mutants were identified among the M
2
generations. Gamma radiations also caused the development of abnormal leaflets, flowers and pollen grains. The most common types of chromosome aberrations in the mitotic cells were stickiness, laggard and chromosome breaks, whereas the most common types in the meiotic cells were stickiness and disturbed polarity.
Conclusion: The gamma radiation decreased the seedling emergence and induced a wide range of morphological and chromosomal abnormalities in faba bean.