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leaves such as trifoliate, heart shaped, notched and, leaves with wavy margin as compared to two
oblong entire and equal size cotyledons in control. Vegetative leaves in control were green,

lanceolate, entire and smooth margin, whereas, long, broad, narrow and chlorophyll variants were
observed in different mutagenic concentration (Figure- 1). Similar findings were also observed in
Lens culinaris by Shahwar et al., (2019). The anomalies may be attributed to chromosomal

aberrations arises due to mutagen (Azad, 2014).
In M1 generation, various morphological variants such as plant height and growth habit were screened.

Tall variant, tall and bushy variant with greater yield was screened in lower dose of mutagen and
dwarf variant with no yield was screened in higher dose of mutagen (Figure- 2). Similar findings were
reported in Vigna mungo by Kumar et al. (2009) and in Lens culinaris by Khursheed and Khan

(2014).
Compared with controlled violet- blue pentapetalous flower, various colored variant, distorted shape

and hexapetalous flower were recorded in different dose of mutagen (Figure- 3). Large sized capsule
variant were recorded in lower dose of mutagen whereas, small sized capsules were recorded in
higher dose of mutagen (Figure- 4). Large and small sized seeds were also reported in lower and

higher dose of mutagen respectively. Similar findings were reported in Linum usitatissimum by
Ahmad et al., (2017).
4. CONCLUSION

In the present investigation, it is concluded that EMS generates variety of phenotypic variants in
Linum usitatissimum var. Shekhar. Lower concentrations (0.02% - 0.06%) of EMS did not
significantly affect the morphology of Linum, while higher concentrations (0.08% - 0.10%) of EMS

significantly affect the morphology and reduce various yield parameters. The present study reveals
moderate concentrations of EMS induce mutagenic damage in Linum usitatissimum var. Shekhar

which can facilitates screening of desirable mutant in M2 and M3 generations.
5. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The authors are thankful to University Grant Commission (UGC) New Delhi, India, for providing

Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) and to the Chairman Department of Botany, Aligarh Muslim
University, Aligarh, India, for providing necessary infrastructure and facilities required for
completion of study.

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