Induced mutations for fasciation in lentil (Lens culinaris med.)

Abstract

A mutant with fasciation in the upper part of stem was isolated in lentil (Lens culinaris) following combined treatment of gamma rays and EMS (200 Gy + 0.1% EMS). During the later stages of plantgrowth, due to slight flattening of stem and branches at the shootapex, the plant appeared likea cluster of closely fused branches. Unlike earlier reported fasciated mutants in lentil, which were sterile [1], these fasciated mutants were fully fertile having normal reproductive organs, and thus are being maintained in homozygous state. Pods per bunch ranged from 2-10 as against 1-3 in the control. The mutants also differed from control in chlorophyll a and b content and other quantitative characters. The segregation data suggested monogenic recessive nature of the mutation.