Journal of Plant Process and Function

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Nowadays, the induction chromosome doubling (polyploidization) using colchicine is regarded as one of the attractive methods for improving of medicinal plants in order to increase their production. In this research, colchicine was used for the induction of polyploidy and examining its effect on the amount of polyploidy and some morphological and physiological traits of Pakistani population of the Ajowan medical plant. Colchicine with concentrations of 0, 0.2, 0.5, 0.75 and 1 g/L, and for time durations of 6, 12 and 18 hours was used on the root apical meristem (RAM). A factorial experiment in completely randomized design (CRD) with three replications was used. Chromosomal analysis was carried out using squash technique and visual analysis method. The results showed that the number of somatic chromosomes in the examined species was either in diploid (2n = 2x = 18) or tetraploid (2n = 4x = 36) status. The highest percentage of polyploidy induction (80%) was obtained after dipping the seedlings at a concentration of 0.5 g/L colchicine for 6 hours. Then, after the treatment of the plant with colchicine and cultivating the treated and control seeds in the pot, the grown seedlings were studied at flowering stage. The results showed that tetraploid plants (treated) were superior to control group plants with regard to physiological (chlorophyll a, anthocyanin, ascorbate peroxidase, catalase and flavonoid) and morphological (number of lateral branches, plant height, number of leaves and fresh and dry weight) traits, therefore, the studied breeding method can be useful and applicable for the Ajwain (Trachyspermum ammi) plant.

Keywords: Tetraploid, Chromosomal count, Colchicine, Phenol, Flavonoids

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