Induced mutagenesis in blackgram [Vigna mungo (L.) Hepper]

Abstract

A wide range of chlorophyll and viable morphological mutations affecting almost all the parts of the plant and seed characteristics were isolated in M2 generation of blackgram [Vigna mungo (L.) Hepper] variety Type 9 treated with gamma rays doses 50 to 500 Gy. The comparative study of frequency and spectrum of chlorophyll and viable mutations and the mutagenic effectiveness and efficiency of gamma rays on blackgram included two treatment conditions: 1. Irradiation of dry seeds with 50 to 500 Gy with an interval of 50 Gy, 2. Soaking of seeds in water for 6 hours before irradiation with 50 to 500 Gy again with the same interval of 50 Gy. Mutation rate indicated that 400 Gy dry treatment was most potent in inducing chlorophyll and viable mutations. The frequency and spectrum of the induced chlorophyll mutations was in the order of - Chimera, chlorina, albina and xantha. Higher doses of gamma rays treatment 500, 450 and 400 Gy showed high lethality under both the treatment conditions - dry and soaked. The treatment of 400 Gy gamma rays under dry condition showed highest mutagenic efficiency in inducing mutations in blackgram. However, lower doses of gamma rays i.e., 250 Gy under dry condition and 150 Gy under soaked condition were also quite effective and efficient.