Effects of gamma-irradiation in mungbean [vigna rad i at a (l.) wdlczek]

Abstract

Seeds of five mungbean genotypes were irradiated with 20, 30, 40 and 50 kR gamma rays with a view to create desirable genetic variability. The response of gamma rays was observed by studying germination and survival percentage, plant height, branches per plant, 100 seed weight and grain yield per plant. The results showed that the germination and survival percentage and plant height were negatively correlated with the increase In doses of gamma rays in all genotypes. The branches per plant was reduced due to gamma-irradiation except the genotype Kanti and 312. Hundred seed weight was positively influenced in all genotypes. Yield per plant was reduced with all doses as compared to the control. Kanti showed positive and the other genotypes showed negative responses for yield per plant. The genotype Mosk-1 was found to be more sensitive to gamma radiation than other genotypes. The results indicated that a wide variation was observed in the irradiated populations in all characters but maximum variation was found at 40 and 50 kR treatments as compared to the control in all the genotypes.