Induced mutagenesis in Vicia faba L. 1 Chlorophyll mutations induced by gamma rays, ethyl methane sulphonate and hydrazine.

The seeds of Vicia faba L. (2n = 12) having a moisture content of 9.06% were given individual and combined treatments of gamma rays (5 kR), ethyl methane sulphonate (0.25% and 0.50%, 6 h) and hydrazine (0.25% and 0.50%, 6 h). Chlorophyll mutations were scored in the M2-generation as mutants per 100 M2 plants. The mutation frequency was highest for xantha and lowest for striata. The frequency of chlorophyll mutations was higher due to chemicals than due to gamma rays at the available levels of treatments. Quantitative estimation of chlorophyll pigments was also made in different kinds of chlorophyll mutants and the chlorophyll content was in the following decreasing order: viridoalba > chlorina > xanthoalba > striata > viridis > alboxantha > xantha > albino. The total leaf area in these mutants was similarly found in the following decreasing order: viridoalba > chlorina > xantha > xanthoalba > alboxantha > viridis > striata > albino.