New Plant Type Mutants in Jute (corchorus Olitorius L.)

Three macromutants namely, 'pigmented stem', 'viridis' and 'lax branching', of jute (Corchorus olitorius L. - JRO 524; commercial fibre yielding crop) were induced at M2 following gamma irradiations and EMS (Ethyl Methane Sulphonate) treatments. The true breeding mutants (selfed seeds of a single phenotypically stable plant forwarded in each generation from M4) are assessed considering different attributes like germination, survivability, meiotic chromosome behavior, pollen fertility and viability and quantitative traits across the generations (M5, M6 and M7) in relation to control under a uniform field condition(s). Further, genetic variations between/among the mutants and between mutant(s) and control is also analyzed from seed protein (SDS-PAGE - sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis), RAPD (Random Amplification of Polymorphic DNA) and ISSR (inter-simple sequence repeat) profiles. Pigment profiles following TLC (Thin Layer Chromatography) have been studied in 'viridis' and control. Inheritance of the mutant trait(s) has also been assessed from reciprocal crossings performed between control and mutants. Results suggest that the mutants are true breeding, stable and significant and may enrich genetic resources in the species.