Objective: To study the cytogenetic effect of space flight on broccoli seeds and the mechanism of mutations of the plant.
Method: Dry seeds of broccoli were sent to the space on board a recoverable satellite for 8 days. After recovery the seeds were planted in the field. Chromosome behaviour of pollen mother cell (PMC) samples were observed following the method of ZHU Cheng, 1982. Pollen samples were stained and embeded in lacto-phenol fuchsin for fertility determination.
Result: Unequal chromosome numbers of broccoli's PMC were found in the diakinesis stage, such as reducing n = 6, 7 or increasing n = 11 (earth-control number is n = 9); inversion or translocation of chromosomes occurred, and lagging chromosome were found in the anaphase and telophase of PMC meiosis growing rate and growing potential of the seeds were observed after recovery.
Conclusion: Leaves cexaceous decrease and aberrations in the chromosome of PMC are found in broccoli after space flight.