Differential maleic hydrazide (MH) sensitivity shown by the spermatocyte chromosomes in five species of Grasshoppers

Abstract

The relative effect of maleic hydrazide, administered at the rate of 5 mg per individual, on the spermatocyte chromosomes of five species of grasshoppers has been studied. In the control species, the effect was practically nil. In the treated series, it was manifested in the form of chromatid and chromosome type breaks, laggards, bridges etc. The species arranged in decreasing order of effect, are: i) T. pulvinata, ii) P. antennata, iii) A. lugula iv) S. prasiniferum and v) O. velox. The differential responses have been critically analysed in various ways. Discussions have been made on the role of some influencing factors over the present data. The data have also been compared with the x-ray induced ones.