Cytology of Morphological Mutants of Vicia faba L. var. vikrant

Abstract

Mutation breeding is an important tool in bringing genetic variability in plants. Different physical and chemical mutagens are used in mutation breeding to enhance variability. The present experiment was conducted to induce genetic variability in Vicia faba L. var. Vikrant, an autogamous crop, by gamma rays and ethyl methanesulphonate (EMS) used singly or in combinations. Some mutants were identified in M2 generation which differed morphologically from the control plants. These mutants showed various chromosomal abnormalities. Higher combination treatment plants showed more frequency of meiotic abnormalities than individual doses/concentrations treated plants. Most of the desired mutants viz., bushy mutants, opposite leaves mutant and mutant with four flowers at a node were obtained in lower doses/concentrations of individual treatments whereas the higher combination treatments produced undesired mutants viz., unbranched mutant and one sided branched mutant.