An EMS-induced low-linolenic-acid mutant in McGregor flax (Linum usitatissimum L.)

Abstract

McGregor flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) seed was treated with ethyl methanesulphonate (EMS) and the resulting M1, M2, M3 and M4 progeny were screened for linolenic acid mutants, using the half-seed technique. A stable low-linolenic acid (2%) mutant was found in the M4. The low linolenic character is controlled by recessive alleles at two independent loci, apparently the result of a rare double mutation. Key words: EMS, mutation, flax, Linum usitatissimum, fatty acid