Induced mutations in foxtail millet (Setaria italica Beauv.) : I. Chlorophyll mutations induced by gamma rays, EMS and DES.

Chlorophyll mutations induced by gamma rays, EMS and DES were studied in foxtail millet (Setaria italica), using two cultures, MU-1 (bristled) and MU-2 (non-bristled). No major differences in the mutagenic response of the two cultures were observed. The treatments included four doses of gamma rays (10Kr, 20Kr, 30Kr, 40Kr) and four durations (6 hrs, 12 hrs, 18 hrs, 24 hrs) each of EMS (0.1%) and DES (0.1%). The combined treatments of gamma rays + EMS and gamma rays + DES were also given.Frequencies of chlorophyll mutations were recorded by three different methods, viz. (a) mutations per cent M1 plants, (b) mutations per cent M1 spikes and (c) mutants per cent M2 plants. No significant differences in the results obtained by these three methods were observed. The frequencies and spectrum of mutations are discussed.Chlorina type were most frequent andviridoalbina least frequent.Striata and virescens were also quite common.Albinos, reported frequently in other crops, were found to be less frequent in foxtail millet during the present study. Number of sectors per spike were also determined from segregation ratios and only one sector per spike was found at all doses. Efficiency and effectiveness of mutagens were also determined and discussed. The results are also discussed with respect to mutagen specificity.