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Department of Botany and Microbiology, University of Kuwait

ABSTRACT

Dry, soaked, and germinated seeds of two cultivars of Brassica were treated with fast-neutrons and X-rays. A variable spectrum of mutations was observed. Fast-neutrons induced fewer but more useful mutations than X-rays. Soaked and germinated seeds were more radiosensitive than unsoaked dry seeds. Plant height and flowering time were more sensitive than other characteristics studied. Economically desirable characteristics such as tall plants and early flowering plants were produced. Long periods of soaking were injurious and significantly reduced survival rate at exposures to X-rays for 5 min. Evidence obtained suggests the feasibility of mutation breeding especially with fast-neutron irradiation.