Effect of Alkylating Agents on Cladophora crispta aRoth.) Kuetz.

Ever since it was discovered that radiations could cause genetic damages and produce mutations, a search was on to report certain chemicals which could induce mutations in a similar manner. The algal material selected was Cladophora crispata (Roth) Kuetz, belonging to the order Cladophorales of class Chlorophyceae. Two alkylating agents namely Ethyl methane sulphonate and Diethyl sulphate were tried in various percentage concentrations (0.0001, 0.001, 0.01 and 0.1) for duration of 1, 2 and 4 hours for a period of three weeks. Observations were recorded with reference to survival percentage, dry weight, chlorophyll content, morphological and cytological variations.