Two unique induced mutants identified in fenugreek for growth habit and leaf characteristics

Abstract

Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) is an annual crop belonging to the legume family. As
such variability is present for many characters in this crop as it is grown from a long time in different agro-
eco situations of Indian subcontinent. Two varieties of fenugreek namely RMt-1 and RMt-305 were treated
with five different doses of gamma rays viz. 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 kR during 2007 and one more promising
genotype UM-344 was treated with 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 kR. Two unique mutants namely AFgM-1 and AFgM-
2 were isolated. Single stem Mutant (AFgM-1) mutant was identified in the M2 generation of UM-344 treated
with 40 kR gamma rays. The mutant AFgM-1 was different from the parent line with respect to plant height,
internode length, branching habit, number of pods per plant and seed yield per plant. Rosette Leaf Mutant
(AFgM-2) mutant was identified in the M3 generation of RMt-305 treated with 25 kR gamma rays. The identified
mutant AFgM-2 was different from the parent line with respect to plant height, growth habit, branching habit,
number of pods per plant and seed yield per plant. This mutant is unique for its leaf growth habit, the
younger leaves of the plant forms a rosette leaf structure i.e. cluster of about 20-24 leaves which can be seen
from a distance.