Biology and Agriculture Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Trombay, Bombay-85
Online published on 25 January, 2012.
A dwarf, sterile mutant obtained from C. olitorius Linn. var. JRO 632, following irradiation of seeds with ionizing radiation was characterized by contorted leaves and the absence of normal ovary. The number of sepals and petals varied from 3–6, stamens were more numerous, varying from 35–95 in the mutant against 34–45 in the control. The carpels which are normally six and syncarpous were modified into lateral leafy structures giving the appearance of a shoot apex. Practically, this mutant behaved as a male plant.
