Enzyme polymorphism analysis in irradiated amaranth (Amaranthus spp.) lines

Purple Amaranth (Amaranthus cruentus L.) belongs among the important alternative crops – pseudo-cereals suitable for global warming conditions. The cultural forms of Amaranth are characteristic by high nutritional value of the grain and green mass suitable for human nutrition and feeding. The aim of the research was induction of mutations by gamma radiation. The seeds of Amaranthus cruentus L. genotype ‘Ficha’ were treated with 175 Gy. After evaluation of twelve mutant generations (1998 – 2010) two putative mutation lines C26 and C82 where selected for increased weight of thousand seeds. Two selected putative mutant lines C26 and C82, control non treated Amaranthus cruentus ‘Ficha‘ and the variety ‘Aztek’ were tested on the experimental field of Prešov university in Prešov. Morphological characteristics of tested variants were evaluated according to test guide UPOV 247/1 on the plots 2.5 m 2 (one experimental variant) in four repetitions. The aim of this evaluation was to estimate differences between breeding material (putative mutant lines), the control variety ‘Aztek’ and control non-treated Amaranthus cruentus ‘Ficha‘ and to reach homogenization of putative mutant lines in order to achieve their uniformity and trait stability. Differences were observed between putative mutant lines and variety ‘Aztek’ in 7 characteristics: leaf central blotch, color on the lower side, blade color, inflorescences – color, density of glomerules, length of bract relative to utricle and weight of thousand seeds (WTS). Compared to the starting material ‘Ficha’ the statistically significant difference were found in WTS. The weight of thousand seeds is the most important attribute for grain yield. This attribute was influenced by irradiation and genetically fixed by selection. The WTS for putative mutation lines C82 and C26 was 0.9967 g and 0.94165 g, respectively, for control non treated variety ‘Ficha’ 0.8821 g and for variety ‘Aztec’ 0.7647 g. Among the all experiment variants statistically significant differences on WTS (method 95 % LSD) were achieved.