Characteristics of Kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L.) Mutants Induced by Gamma-Ray

: Kenaf ( Hibiscus cannabinus L.) is known as a multipurpose crop producing biomass for energy thus, the study was conducted to select the elite mutants with higher biomass produced through mutation. Obtained from the National Agricultural Genetic Resources Center (NAGRC) in Korea, t he seeds of the original natural resource named IT202801 (control) were irradiated with 250 Gy gamma-ray. The agronomic performances, genetic variation and histological analysis of the elite mutant lines were investigated at M 2 generation in comparison with the control. Significant differences were observed from the previous three evaluations of the eight mutants. Nine plants, including the control and eight mutants, had little difference in the number of flowering days from July 23 to July 25. The leaf shape of the control was entire, while the leaf shape of the mutant was palmate. Of the eight lines, M 2 IT20-5 showed better performance in regard to diameter, dry weight and seed weight per plant. The random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis produced a genetic diversity of 72.7% within the genotypes used. A dendrogram was constructed based on the RAPD fragments. Differentiation was demonstrated between the control and kenaf mutants. Taken together, the mutant line, M 2 IT20-5, can be useful as a resource for high biomass production.