A NOTE ON INDUCED NON-SHATTERING MUTANT IN NIGELLA SATIVA L. (BLACK CUMIN)

Abstract

Six non-shattering mutant plants of Nigella sativa L. (Family: Ranunculaceae; common name - black cumin; annual medicinal herb of immense therapeutic uses and potentially possessing spice yielding property of commerce) were screened from field on post harvest at M2 following different mutagenic treatments (0.25%, 4h EMS; 0.50%, 4h NaN3; 0.50%, 2h NH2OH and 50 Gy gamma irradiations). Mutant seeds sown at M3 and M4 yielded 3 and 4 non-shattering plants respectively. None of the mutant plants were with detectable phenotypic trait, a major constrain in their identification in field. On post harvest management it was noted that the mutant plants shattered 4.37% seeds in comparison to 22.45% in control. Significance and difficulties of the induced non-shattering mutant have been discussed.