Effects of n-methyl n-nitrosourea (mnu) on some quantitative characters and endosperm storage proteins in rice (<oryza sativa l.)

Abstract

The fertilized egg-cells of rice were treated with ImM N-methyl N- nitrosourca (MNU) to induce mutation. The treatment effects on quantitative characters varied considerably but in most of the cases they were not significant. The MNU effects on storage proteins were quite high. Six groups were identified depending on the staining intensities of the polypeptide bands. The line 121 had low prolamin. The line 175 showed low prolamin content but high glutclin. These two lines can be used as valuable breeding materials for improving protein qualities in rice.