Inheritance and characteristics of pale green chlorophyll mutant of jute (Corchorus olitorius L.)

Abstract

Pale green chlorophyll mutant of olitorius jute (Corchorus olitorius L.) is distinctly different from the rest of the jute varieties due to pale green colour of the whole plant including the leaves since germination. Inspite of less chlorophyll content, its growth and fipre yield were not affected. This peculiarity prompted study of its different characteristics and pattern of inheritance. The pale green chlorophyll mutant was crossed reciprocally with full green standard variety, JRO 524. The F1 seeds were sown with normal spacing (.30cm X 5-7 cm) and basal dose of NPK @ 30:30:30 Kg/hac. F1 plants were crossed with both parents to raise back cross progenies. The F2 seeds collected from the F1 plants were sown as stated above. Fresh leaves from 4th and 5th nodes from apex of both mutant and the standard variety were collected and moisture content was estimated by drying leaves at 750 C for two hours. The chlorophyll content was measured by extracting chlorophyll in 80% acetone and recording absorption at 663 nm and 645 nm of spectrophotometer. Total nitrogen, phosphorus and potash were estimated by modified Kjeldahl method, triacid mixture - Vanandomolybdophosphoric yellow colour method in HN03 system and flame photometer respectively.