Differential Effects of Lead Nitrate and Cadmium Nitrate on Proline Accumulation and Associated Quantitative, and Morphological traits in M2 generation of Linum usitatissimum L.

This study evaluated the mutagenic effects of lead nitrate and cadmium nitrate on proline accumulation and various quantitative traits and morphological variations in M1 and M2 generations of Linum usitatissimum L. Both mutagens reduced plant height, branching, capsule number, seed weight, and yield, with cadmium nitrate resulting in stronger suppression. Proline content increased significantly in the M1 generation of linseed under both heavy metal’s treatment, indicating a strong biochemical response to heavy-metal stress. Although proline content declined in the M2 generation, but the content remained higher than the control. This increased proline in second generation revealed a partial recovery towards the induced stress. Various distinct cotyledonary and floral mutations were recorded in treated populations, some of which were persisted into the M2 generation. These findings shows heavy metal lead and cadmium nitrate although reduced the growth parameters but the mutants with high proline accumulation can serve as a better adaptor towards stress and may help in identifying mutant lines with improved stress tolerance for future breeding programmes.________________________________________