Abstract

The effect of 6-aminopurine (6-AP) on induction of mutations in Cichorium intybus L. (Asteraceae) in three consecutive generations (M₁ to M₃) was investigated. Three distinct mutants at 0.8% concentration were generated. These mutants were subjected to cytological analysis where 6-AP induced chromosomal aberrations such as univalents, multivalents, stickiness, laggards, bridges, etc, which reflects its potency to generate point mutations. These mutants were further analyzed usingrandom amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) profiles, which differentiate the mutants genotypically, on the basis of occurrence of new bands and disappearance of old bands in combined random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) profiles. The results clearly indicate that high concentrations of 6-AP induce base addition and substitution, resulting in mutations in Cichorium.

Key words: Mutation, Cichorium intybus, random amplified polymorphic DNA(RAPD), 6-aminopurine (6-AP), cytology.