Studies in Cephalandra indica Naud.

Behaviour of sex chromosomes and autosomes during meiosis have been studied. Meiosis was found to be normal. However, chromsomal aberrations were observed in a small number of pollen mother cells.Palynological studies indicated that the presence of prolate, 3-colpale, reticulate and clearly differentiated sexine and nexine pollen grains in the materials.Nine spots for phenolic compounds in leaves of both male and female plants were observed by thin layer chromatographic method.Delay in germination time, decrease in germination and seedling height and increase in morphological abnormalities with increase in X-ray doses and colchicine concentrations have been recorded. X-ray induced chromosomal aberrations in root tip cells increased with increase in X-ray doses.Cells with 3n, 4n and more than 4n chromosomes could be produced after treatment with colchicine. With increase in colochicine concentrations there was increase in cells with polyploid chromosome number. Induced chromosomal aberrations or polyploidy are not the direct cause for aberrant plant growth. It may be due to some factors associated with non heritable physiological disturbances, the exact role of which has not beeen definitely established.