Modulated UV-B radiation invoking cytomorphological and biochemical aspects of a medicinal plant, Bhringraj (Eclipta alba (L.) Hassk.)

Aim : The current experimental work has been designed to study the effect of UV-B exposure on the seedling growth and meiotic consequences of Eclipta alba (L.) Hassk. Methodology : The seedlings were exposed to UV-B radiation for different time durations, i.e., 40, 80, 120 min along with control sets. UV-B irradiated seedlings along with respective controls were sown in the field and young floral buds were fixed in Carnoy's fixative for 24 hrs and preserved in 90% ethanol for meiotic study. Results : Exposure of UV-B exposure resulted in various chromosomal aberrations like stickiness, laggards, bridges, unorientation, precocious, multivalents etc. Chromosomal stickiness was profound abnormality encountered at shorter duration (40 min) to UV-B exposure. The results revealed that UV-B exposure for shorter duration is quite beneficial to plant as it induces significant cytomorphological and biochemical variations. Interpretation : Shorter exposure to UV-B radiation induced certain beneficial traits in Eclipta alba. Since, Eclipta alba is a medicinally significant plant, hence, it is essential to improve their quantitative and qualitative traits through induced mutagenesis using UV-B radiation to impel the novel characteristics of plant.