INDUCED MUTAnONS FOR IMPROVEMENT OF PROTEIN IN CHICKPEA (CICER ARIETINUM L.)

Abstract

Variability has been induced and screened for crude protein content in fortyfour chickpea micro-mutants and thirtyfive macro-mutants. A wide range of variability has been generated through treatments of physical (gamma rays and fast neutrons) and chemical mutagens (EMS and NMU) and mutant genotypes having significantly higher protein content than parent variety as well as standard check have been isolated. The results of the present study suggest that it is possible to increase the protein content concurrent with an increase or without a loss in grain weight, density and yield through induction of mutations.