The frequency and spectrum of viable mutations induced by γ-rays (20, 30 and 40 kR), EMS (0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 per cent) and sodium azide (0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 mM) were studied in three varieties of basmati rice i.e. Basmati 370, Ranbir Basmati and Saanwal Basmati. The highest mutation frequency was obtained in 30, 40 kR γ-rays and 0.5 mM sodium azide in Basmati 370, 30 kR γ-rays and 1.5 mM sodium azide in Ranbir Basmati on M2 family basis, where as Saanwal Basmati exhibited highest frequency in 30 kR γ-rays both on M2 family and plant basis. Among the mutagens, Basmati 370 and Saanwal Basmati exhibited highest frequency in γ-rays where as Ranbir Basmati exhibited highest frequency with sodium azide. The viable mutations occurred more frequently in Saanwal Basmati than Basmati 370 and Ranbir Basmati. The spectrum of viable mutations were 57.57, 16.36 and 26.07 per cent of γ-rays, EMS and sodium azide, respectively.
Basmati, γ-rays, ethyl methane sulfonate (EMS), sodium azide, frequency and spectrum, viable mutations
