| Induced mutations for amber grain color in two varieties
of wheat H. C. BANSAL, R. P. SHARMA and P. N. NARULA Division of Genetics, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, Delhi-12, India Hexaploid wheat varieties HP (M) 549 and HP (M) 574, which were introduced to India as S549-1-1 and S574-1-2 respectively, from Mexico, possess potential for very high yields as observed in the yield trials conducted in the North-Eastern Plain zone of India. However, these varieties were not accepted for commercial cultivation because of red grain color. With a view to rectify this defect, mutations for amber grain color were induced. Seeds of both the varieties were treated with gamma rays (30 kR), N-nitrosomethyl urea (0.01%) and Ethyl methanesulphonate (0.5%). Seeds from selfed M1 spikes were collected separately. The frequency of mutants with amber grains isolated in M1 generation is presented in Table 1. The M1 spikes were either completely mutated or were chimeral for amber and red grains. Morphologically the amber grain mutants resembled the parent varieties. The mutants bred true in the M2 generation. Induction of amber grained mutations did not affect the yielding potential. Nature of the induced mutations is being investigated. (Received January 27, 1971) |