Phenotypic Performance of Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Populations Induced by the MNU Mutant on the Adaptive Characteristics

Abstract

Mutation is an impressive method to induce potent characteristics in rice breeding. Evaluation on the phenotypic perfomance in mutant populations is important to examine the effectiveness of mutation. In this study, two rice populations of MNU ((N-methyl-N-Nitrosourea) -induced mutants were used to evaluate their phenotypes. The results showed that all of varieties and mutants expressed their ability to adapt with new environment condition via phenotypic expression. Grain yield of them ranged from 6.18 to 10.70 tons/ha. In general population S/TB performed their best characters. The distribution of related traits to grain yield and amylose content were also different from each population. It was observed that mutants expressed better characters than their parents. This study provided general information on phenotype of rice mutants and varieties in new environmental condition and revealed better adaptive characteristics of rice mutants. Findings of this study confirmed the the efficacy of MNU in rice breeding.