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In case of NP 880 there was no significant increase for
protein percentage in the dwarf mutant lines but there was
substantial improvement for yield in mutant selection-15
from thiotepa, selection 7 from MNG and 3-11, 3-15 and 3-16
from EMS treatments (Table 2).
From our observations it is obvious that the scope for
simultaneous improvement in yield potential and protein
percentage through effective selections in mutation breeding
is more rewarded in tetraploid, than hexaploid wheats. It
could probably be due to the complex nature of genetic
architecture and compensating mechanism by triplicate loci.
Most of the desirable mutants have been recovered with EMS
or with the combination of EMS treatments in tetraploid
wheat whereas in hexaploid wheat metapa and thiotepa
treatments have also induced some desirable mutants. Thus,
the response of chemical treatments in terms of the recovery
of desirable mutants pertaining to disease resistance, yield
and quality aspect is variable in hexaploid and tetraploid
wheats. The inference can thus be drawn that there is ample
scope for the induction of disease resistance,
alteration/rectification in some negative character
association and to improve quality aspects in conjunction
with higher yield returns, through appropriate mutagenic
treatments in different wheat genotypes.
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