SOMACLONAL VARIATION IN A FOOD LEGUME - LATHYRUS-SATIVUS

Somaclones of Lathyrus sativus cv P-24 were obtained from leaf, intern ode and root derived callus cultures. These skewed significantly decre ased neurotoxin (ODAP) content up to 0.03% compared to that of parent cultivar P-24 (0.3%). The somaclones also showed higher seed yield tha n parent P-24. In addition, somaclone Bio I-22 showed significantly de creased time for flowering. Other heritable morphological variant feat ures were leaf length, leaf breadth, internode length, flower colour, seed colour, 100 seed weight, neurotoxin content of leaves and red mar kings on the pods.