Comparative Mutagenic Analysis of Gamma Rays, EMS and Their Combination Treatments in Black Gram (Vigna mungo (L.) Hepper)

Abstract

Present investigation was carried out to study the individual and combined effects of gamma rays and ethyl methanesulphonate (EMS) on various biological parameters such as seed germination, plant survival, pollen fertility and seedling height in M1 generation of black gram (Vigna mungo (L.) Hepper) varieties T-9 and Pant U-30. A dose dependent decrease in these parameters, except plant survival at maturity was observed in both varieties. Gamma ray treatments induced greater reduction in seed germination, pollen fertility and seedling height than EMS treatments. However, combination treatments of gamma rays and EMS caused maximum reduction as compared to their individual treatments vis-à-vis aforesaid parameters. Morphological investigation of M1 seedlings revealed various types of anomalies in cotyledonary leaves. The frequency of Type-II anomalies was the highest followed by Types-I and III in both varieties. All these abnormal seedlings, except Type-I were normal plants in flowering and set seeds. Combined treatments induced the highest frequency of such abnormalities in both varieties.