Isolation of desirable mutants in safflower for crop improvement

Abstract

The present investigation was undertaken to isolate
mutants having promising traits for safflower (Carthamus
tinctorius L.) improvement. Two varieties of safflower viz.,
AKS-207 and Bhima were mutagenised with ethyl
methanesulphonate, sodium azide and gamma rays. All
the mutagens decreased pollen fertility in M1 generation
with the increase in their dose. The screening of M2
population led to the isolation of several putative mutants.
The frequency of mutations varied according to the
mutagen, its dose and the variety concerned. The evaluation
of these putative mutants in M3 generation resulted in
selection of early bolting, dwarf, highly branched, large
head, high test weight, thin hull, high oil content and high
oleic acid mutants on the basis of their utility in breeding
for safflower improvement. Amongst the three mutagens
used, sodium azide proved to be most effective and efficient
mutagen for induction of mutations in safflower.