Department of Botany, Andhra University, Visakhapatnam-530 003
The effects of base-specific chemicals hydroxylamine (HA), hydrazine (HZ) and an alkylating agent methylmethanesulfonate (MMS) on photosynthetic pigments and soluble proteins in the leaves of rice seedlings were studied. Chlorophyll a synthesis was inhibited whereas synthesis of chlorophyll b was promoted in single treatments. Single treatments did not affect the carotenoid levels of the seedlings, but in combination, synergistic effects of the mutagens inhibited the synthesis of carotenoids. Lower concentrations of the mutagens promoted the synthesis of photosynthetic pigments.
