MUTATIONAL RECTIFICATION OF CERTAIN DEFECTS IN THE AERIAL PODDING GENOTYPE TAP-5 OF GROUNDNUT (ARACHIS-HYPOGAEA)

A study was initiated to rectify early senescence defect of TAP 5 aeri al pod-bearing mutant of 'Tatu' groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) throug h induction of mutations using the chemical mutagens ethyl methane sul phonate(0.3%) and sodium azide (3mM). Seven slow senescent mutants wer e identified which bred true. Several agronomically desirable mutants such as compact canopy and profusely branched mutants with shorter int ernodes were also selected, which retained the aerial pod bearing attr ibute of the parent.