Evaluation of Optimal Doses for Gamma Rays and Sodium Azide in Linseed Genotypes

Background: Linseed is one of the most important medicinal plants grown for its various health benefits. The seeds of linseed contain a good and essential fatty acid profile that is omega-3 fatty acid/Alpha linolenic acid. It helps in the prevention of various disease including inflammation, cardiovascular problems, cancer, diabetes etc. Induced mutagenesis is an easy and cost effective technique to induce desired genetic variability, which either does not occur naturally or is not accessible to plant breeders. Genetic variability is enhanced by the influence of various chemical or physical mutagens. The usefulness of any mutagen relies not only on its efficiency but also on its effectiveness. Methods: Dry and healthy seeds of linseed (var. Padmini and IC0096650) were treated with different doses of gamma rays and sodium azide. The experiment was conducted during Rabi season of November 2016-March 2017. The selection of optimum doses of mutagens through the determination of LD50 values has been calculated on the basis of the seed germination as well as plant survival. Result: The present investigation reveals genotypic response of two linseed varieties towards different doses of gamma rays and sodium azide. Variety IC0096650 exhibited higher degree of sensitivity than variety Padmini with respect to the mutagens used. Results showed that 200Gy dose of gamma rays and 0.4% dose of sodium azide was the maximum non-lethal strength of the respective mutagen for the induction of the mutation in linseed genotypes.