Effect of gamma rays and ethyl methane sulphonate (EMS) in M₃ generation of blackgram (<i>Vigna mungo</i> L. Hepper)

Abstract

Induced mutation in plant improvement has been proven to be one of the ways used to generate new sources of genetic variations in creating new varieties of blackgram. This additional tool is important in plant improvement, which is a valuable approach for plant breeding in crop research. A study of the effects of gamma rays and ethyl methane sulphonate (EMS) on mutagenesis of blackgram was conducted to determine the effects of induced mutation on the species. Seeds of blackgram were treated with various doses/concentrations of gamma rays (40, 60 and 80 kR) and ethyl methanesulfonate (10, 15 and 20 mM). Mean performance of different quantitative traits was significantly better in 15 mM of EMS followed by 60 kR of gamma rays when compared with the control and other doses. Generally, higher doses of gamma rays and EMS (80 kR and 20 mM) that were particularly decreased had a pronounced effect on the plant growth and yield of blackgram. High values of heritability and genetic advance indicate the possibility of inducing desirable mutations for polygenic traits accompanied by effective selection in M₃ and later generations.

Key words: Vigna mungo, gamma rays, ethyl methane sulphonate (EMS), quantitative traits, M₃ generation