Physiological and mutagenic responses in Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heynh to aldrin, lindane and perthane.

Introduction: Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heynh., a small member of the Cruciferae, is ideally suited as an experimental plant in mutation research for some of the following reasons: 1. It is a highly self-fertilizing species, which leads to the maintenance of extremely homozygous genetic lines. Outcrossing in the lab is in the range of 0.01%, while in nature it is no greater than 2% (Redei 1975). Thus, there is no confusion between new characteristics due to mutation and those due to outbreeding. 2. Spontaneous mutation rates are relatively low (Redei 1970), again making induced mutations more observable. 3. Its small size (about 2 dm) and short life cycle (35 to 40 days) mean little space and time are needed to carry out research