Genetic improvement for oil quality through induced mutagenesis in groundnut (Arachis hypogaeaL.)

Abstract

The present research was aimed towards oil quality improvement in two groundnut cultivars (GPBD-4 and TPG-41) through induced mutagenesis using EMS and gamma rays. Six hundred true breeding mutants were isolated in M3 and were characterized for fatty acid profile at M4/M5 generations. Twenty high oleate mutants showing consistent fatty acid profile across the generations were further evaluated for economic traits. The induced variability was skewed towards high levels of oleic acid and low level of linoleic acid in GPBD-4 and it was reverse in TPG-41. Greater magnitude of induced variability was found for oleic acid (37.40–75.16%), linoleic acid (9.01–40.30%) and oleic to linoleic acid ratio (O/L) (0.95–8.34) in mutant populations at M5. Mutant, GE-113 recorded the highest increase in oleic acid (74.48%), lowest reduction in linoleic acid (9.17%) and highest increase in O/L ratio (8.12) compared to parent GPBD-4. High oleate mutants were having reduced levels of palmitic acid, long chain saturated fatty acids and iodine value and were comparable to parents for economic traits. Mutant GE-113 had pod yield of 25.33 qt/ha comparable to GPBD-4 (27.06 qt/ha).