INFLUENCE OF GAMMA RAYS ON GERMINATION, SURVIVAL AND POLLEN STERILITY IN BLACK GRAM ( CK GRAM (Vigna mungo igna mungo L.) MUTANTS

Abstract

Induced mutation in plant improvement has been used in several crops to generate new sources of genetic variations. The M1 generation of black gram was raised by treating the seeds of variety ADT 3 and CO 6 with varied doses of gamma rays (200 Gy, 300 Gy and 400 Gy) for studying seed germination, survival of plants and pollen sterility. The two varieties of black gram showed differential response towards mutagenic treatments to the above parameters. Seed germination and survival of plants decreased with increasing dose of the mutagen in both cultivars of black gram. The results showed that gamma irradiation had major influence on black gram varieties and two varieties also responded well.