INDUCED MUTATIONS FOR FASCIATION IN LENTIL (LENS CULINARIS MED.)

Abstract

A mutant with fasciation in the upper part of stem was isolated in lentil (Lens culinllris) following combined treatment of gamma rays and EMS (200 Gy + 0.1% EMS). During the later stages of plant growth, due to slight flattening of stem and branches at the shoot apex, the plantappeared like a clusterofclosely fused branches. Unlike earlierreported fasciated m~Jants in lentil, which were sterile [1], these fasciated mutants were fully fertile having normal reproductive organs, and thus are being maintained in homozygous state. Pods per bunch ranged from 2-10 as againstl-3 in the control.The mutantsalso differed from control in chlorophyll a and b content and other quantitative characters. The segregation data suggested monogenic recessive nature of the mutation.