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 M 1 , M 2 , M 3 and M 4 progeny were screened for linolenic acid mutants, using the half-seed technique. A stable low-linolenic acid (2%) mutant was found in the M 4 . 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