Background: Linseed is one of the most important medicinal plants grown for its various health benefits. The seeds of linseed contain a good and essential fatty acid profile that is omega-3 fatty acid/Alpha linolenic acid. It helps in the prevention of various disease including inflammation, cardiovascular problems, cancer, diabetes etc. Induced mutagenesis is an easy and cost effective technique to induce desired genetic variability, which either does not occur naturally or is not accessible to plant breeders. Genetic variability is enhanced by the influence of various chemical or physical mutagens. The usefulness of any mutagen relies not only on its efficiency but also on its effectiveness. Methods: Dry and healthy seeds of linseed (var. Padmini and IC0096650) were treated with different doses of gamma rays and sodium azide. The experiment was conducted during Rabi season of November 2016-March 2017. The selection of optimum doses of mutagens through the determination of LD50 values has been calculated on the basis of the seed germination as well as plant survival. Result: The present investigation reveals genotypic response of two linseed varieties towards different doses of gamma rays and sodium azide. Variety IC0096650 exhibited higher degree of sensitivity than variety Padmini with respect to the mutagens used. Results showed that 200Gy dose of gamma rays and 0.4% dose of sodium azide was the maximum non-lethal strength of the respective mutagen for the induction of the mutation in linseed genotypes.

Spices are not much more expensive and widely available nowadays, and they contain the massive capacity for protected human health. In India and other developing countries, a human can use spices for the cure of diseases instead of allopathic drugs because herbal drugs have no side effects for human health. In ancient times people used seeds spices as spices for making curries, pickle, bakery products and other food additives. Spices contain various phytochemical compounds or secondary metabolites, which are beneficial for many disorders of human health; thus, the scientist has the challenge to enhance or stable the medicinally active compounds which are present in spices. Seed spices belong to various families, and each spice has its pharmaceutical effects. Cumin, fennel, coriander and fenugreek are the major seed spices crop whereas ajwain, nigella belongs to minor seed spices. Essential oils and extract of seed spices contain various active compounds which are helpful in cure and prevent various diseases.

Chemical mutagenesis is commonly used for the development of induced mutants in crops through the production of mutational research. A potent chemical mutagens i.e. sodium azide is shown in the current study. The current germ plasm (seeds) of linseed var. Padmini was mutagenized with different concentrations (0.1%, 0.2%, 0.3% and 0.4% SA) of sodium azide to create a functional putative mutant in M1 generation. Several qualitative and quantitative traits of M1 plants were studied time to time and compare with the control (untreated plant). Induced mutations that affect almost all plant parts and various morphological variations were screened and isolated based on economic significance. These morphological parameters such as plant height, number of fertile branches/plant, number of capsules/plant, number of seeds/capsule, weight of 1000 seeds and yield/plant increased as the doses decreased. As a result, when different morphological mutations induced, it is found that 0.2% SA is the optimum dose which is best for linseed plant. Therefore lower doses of sodium azide would be helpful for plant breeders to induce desirable mutations to enhance useful traits in crop plants. Specific morphological traits with a positive and clear association would definitely be beneficial in the selection of better putative mutant in the next generations.

Background: Induced mutagenesis has proved as a crucial implement to create genetic variability for various essential traits. Trachyspermum ammi is one of the most important medicinal seed spices and its oil exhibits various pharmacological properties. Ajwain has been overlooked owing its narrow genetic base and little study has been performed to create genetic variations. Methods: Dry and healthy seeds of ajwain were treated with the different concentration of gamma rays (25,50,75 and 100Gy), EMS (0.1%, 0.2%, 0.3% and 0.4%EMS) and different doses of combination treatments (25+0.1%, 50+0.2%, 75+0.3% and 100Gy+0.4%EMS). Among both the mutagens, gamma rays were found to be more effectual mutagens as compared to EMS. Result: The aim of the present study was to find out the mutagenic consequences of gamma rays, EMS and combination treatments on growth and physio-biochemical parameters of ajwain. Studies show that higher doses of both the mutagens caused significantly negative effect on the growth parameters whereas lower doses have positively influenced the parameters. Result shows lower doses of mutagens (25, 50Gy, 0.1%, 0.2%EMS and 25+0.1%, 50Gy+0.2%EMS) proved to be more effective as it caused less biological damage and therefore would be suitable for inducing the desirable mutations and improving the agronomic traits in ajwain.

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