TILLING by sequencing (TbyS) reveals mutations in flowering control genes that are associated with altered plant architecture in Mungbean (Vigna radiata (L.) R. Wilczek)

Abstract

Mutation is prerequisite for creating new variation in crop plants. This variation forms the basis for any crop improvement program. In this study, a population of 3774 mungbean M₁ mutant plants were generated using 0.7% of ethyl methane sulfonate (EMS). For TILLING by sequencing, 768 M₂ families were sequenced for three different candidate genes responsible for altering plant architecture in mungbean. In total, five exon residing mutations were identified, among them three mutations each in GIGANTEA (GI), RAMOSUS (RMS) and TERMINAL FLOWER1 (TFL1) were found to be deleterious and altering the protein function based on SIFT analysis. Through morphological characterization, we confirmed the potential role of each mutation in altering mungbean plant architecture to develop an ideal plant type to increase the yield potential. Additionally, mutants with desirable traits such as increase in number of branches, and terminal and late flowering were selected from this study and advanced to further generation, as well as we are planning to pyramiding all three mutation in single genetic background that could contribute potentially towards developing high yielding mungbean genotypes with ideal plant type.