Low-energy N-ion beam produced new fragrant Sangyod Phatthalung rice lines for increasing production of fermented rice vermicelli

Low-energy ion beam served as a novel mutation induction tool treated seeds of red, low-amylose and non-aromatic Sangyod Phatthalung rice (Oryza sativa L. cv. Sangyod Phatthalung) for new mutant rice lines, specifically suited to the rice vermicelli production. Seven thousand dehulled rice seeds were bombarded with 50-kV-accelerated mixed nitrogen ions to a fluence of 4 × 1016 ions/cm2. Seven stable photoperiod-insensitive lines were obtained and studied for their agricultural traits, grain characteristics related to the rice vermicelli production and to confirm their genetic changes. Primarily, these mutants were shorter and produced a higher number of panicles than the wild-type. After 4-month storage, the flour obtained from the mutants exhibited better water absorption index and pasting properties, resulted in an increased rice vermicelli production yield. Genotypic changes in the mutagenized lines were confirmed. The results demonstrated that low-energy N-ion beam irradiation could induce rice mutations to benefit food industry.