Chemical mutagenesis in the Currant (Ribes L.) and Goosoberry (Grossularia Mill.) selective breeding

Abstract

The optimum solution concentration for the treatment of mutagen varieties of black currants, red currants and gooseberries is defined within 12 hour exposure as: 0.005% nitrosoethylurea, 0.01% diethyl sulfate, 0.1% ethyleneimine, 0.05% dimethyl sulfate. When using higher concentration of mutagens (0.5 to 1%) along with an increase in the total number of mutants, the percentage of plants with economic traits is reduced. If the mutagen solution concentration is 1% the growth of browses from apical buds does not occur due to their dieback. The great number of somatic mutations is induced by nitrosoethylurea and diethyl but less by ethylenimine and dimethyl sulfate. Mutant forms of black currants, red currants and gooseberries with morphological lamina change and leaf chlorophyll distortion revealed a clear relation to bush yield and mien.