MUTAGEN INDUCED POLYGENIC VARIABILITY IN MUNGBEAN (VIGNA RADIATA WILCZEK L.)

Abstract

Two varieties of mungbean were treated with three chemical mutagens and gamma 'rays. In M2 and M3 observation on six characters were recorded for overall variance, interfamily variance and character means. All mutagen doses induced significant variability. Mean values showed a negative shift for most of the characters in M2. Plants with desirable attributes were selected from M2 families showing higher CV and mean values than the highest corresponding values from the respective control group of families. Selection in M2 was effective as mean values in M3 shifted in positive directions and in M3 interfamily variances increased over corresponding M2 treatments. In M3 alongwith the positive shift of mean values, both interfamily and overall variances were still significantly higher than the respective control values indicating scope for further selection and improvement of characters governed by polygens. In Ms yield trial, the selected strains gave yields upto 19.7 q/ha against control yields of 12.2 q/ha. The study reveals that mutagenesis is a potent tool for the improvement of polygenic characters, provided large populations are raised and rigrous selection procedures are followed.