Plant physiology and Biochemistry Laboratory, Water Technoloty Centre, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi 110 012.
* Present Address: Center for Legume Research, Department of Microbiology, M 409, Walters Life Science Building, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996-CJ845, USA.
An anthocyanin containing mutant was induced by 0.5% EMS treatment in Brassica juncea L. Coss & Czern. var. RLM 198 in M1 generation. This mutant had purple coloured anthocyanin sectors on green leaves giving the plant a variegated phenotype. The mutant phenotype appears to be under the control of an unstable gene system or a transposable element system as evident by lack of consistent genetic segregation pattern in subsequent generations, somatic variegation, appearance of new allelic forms, stable green revertants and putative germinal revertants. Usefulness of these mutants in gene cloning strategies and in elucidating the role of anthocyanin pigment as U.V. protectants is discussed.
Brassica juncea, unstable gene system, anthocyanin pigment, EMS induced mutant
