Productivity and Cytogenetic Analysis of an Unbranched Mutant in Hyoscyamus niger L.

An unbranched mutant (Ub) with marginal arrangement of large leaves substantially altered floral and reproductive features in H. niger was isolated in M₂. It bred true for all mutant characteristics in M₂ generation. Appearance of restricted branching (Rb mutant) in some M₃ families seems 10 be a transient phase. Erect growth habit Coupled with non-overlapping leaf-disposition is useful for high crop density to obtain higher biomass field and, in turn, more crude drug production per unit area. Improvement in alkaloid content is an additional advantage augmenting its economic viability. Seed setting was, however. Poor due to pollen-polymorphism accruing from desynapsis and lack of organized alignment of chromosomes at Ml and subsequent abnormal disjunction at Al.