Mutagenic effects and variation of leymus chinensis embarked on Shijian-8 satellite

Space mutation breeding is increasingly recognized as an important and popular technique in forage breeding. In order to provide theoretical basis for spaceflight mutation breeding of Leymus chinensis, mutagenic effects of SP₁ generation and mutant characteristics of SP₂ generation of dried seeds of L. chinensis embarked by recoverable Shijian No.8 satellite were examined in this study. The results showed that growth stages, plant height and leaf length of SP₁ generation of embarked L. chinensis seeds did not varied, compared with the controls, but leaf width, seed-setting percentage, spike length and thousand seed weight significantly increased (P < 0.05). Mutant traits of SP₂ generation of embarked L. chinensis seeds differently changed, with significant alterations in plant height and maturation time and slight changes in seed-setting percentage, germination rate, and crude protein. Thus, these individuals that have good mutant variations can be used as important breeding materials in the future. (authors)