Induced mutations in homozygous and heterozygous genotypes of tobacco

A comparative study of frequency and spectrum of chlorophyll and morphological mutations induced by EMS in homozygous genotypes of chewing tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) was made. Higher frequency (10.34%) of morphological variants was observed in homozygous treated material (M₁) than heterozygous (7.84%) treated material (F₁M₁). Six types of chlorophyll and ten types of morphological mutants were isolated in M₂ generation. Frequencies of chlorophyll and morphological mutants were higher (1.27 and 2.07% respectively) in treated heterozygous (F₂M₂) material as compared to treated homozygous (0.87 ad 1.47% respectively) material (M₂). Glazed leaf mutant holds promise for higher recovery of first grade leaves.