High Oleic Acid Mutant in Soybean Induced by X-Ray Irradiation

Abstract

Dry seeds of soybean [Glycine max (L. ) Merr. var. Bay] were irradiated by X-rays (21. 4kR) and the M₂ generations were examined for the oleic acid content in their oil. The genetic variability of oleic acid content in the oil of the Bay variety was significantly increased by the X-ray treatment when compared with the Bay control. A mutant, designated as M23, was selected from 2747 M₂ plants, having an oleic acid content of 46. 1%, twice as much as that in the normal Bay variety. A distinct inverse relationship was observed between the oleic and linoleic acid contents in M23. Mutant M23 isolated from the M₂ generations was confirmed to be always associated with a high oleic acid content under different environmental conditions in the M₃ generations.