Spectrum of Morphological Mutations Induced by Separate and Simultaneous Application of Gamma Rays with GA3 in Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)

Abstract

Three chickpea genotypes viz., Noor 91 (white), Punjab 91 (brown) and C 141 (black) were treated with 40, 50 and 60 Kr doses of gamma irradiation separately and post mutagenically with gibberellic acid (GA 3) to create genetic variability. M 2 progenies of these treatments were raised from M 1 seeds in plant to family manner. The results indicated that induced mutability is governed by the genetic architecture of the material used. Various morphological mutations induced affecting plant height, growth habit, branching and stem structure, stem and foliage colour, leaf type, flowering and maturity, pod and seed type. There were differences between the genotypes and between the two types of treatments. Frequency of these mutants increased with gamma irradiation in Noor 91 and C 141 while, with GA 3 it tended to increase in the three genotypes.