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[Study on induced mutation of sorghum seeds on recoverable satellites]
Objective:
To observe and investigate the variation and heredity of the offspring of dry seeds of sorghum carried by satellite hence to select excellent mutants and to cultivate directivity new varieties for production application.
Method:
Dry seeds of Tanghui 28, a sorghum restorer line, were carried to the space on board a recoverable satellite for 15 d. After recovery the seeds were planted in the field to study the growth dynamics and change of agricultural characters.
Result:
Variations of characters such as dwarfing of stalk, significant increase grain weight per spike etc were observed in SP1 generation. Wide separation occurred in SP2 generation. Regardless that only non-significant separation of disease resistance and a very little variation of glum color were observed, the other characters varied significantly, and a super large panicle type varied line was obtained. Its spike length was 4 cm longer, and grain weight per spike was 58.5 g more than the control.
Conclusion:
It may be considered that the variation of sorghum seeds induced by the space conditions was heritable to the offsprings. Therefore, exposure to the space environment could be used as a method for mutagenic seeds breeding.