MMS and gamma ray induced variability for different traits in M1, M2, and M3 generations of sorghum

An induction of mutations by MMS and gamma rays was studied in M1, M2, and M3 of three sorghum varieties. The germination emergence, seedling growth and pollen fertility showed a linear decrease with increase in dose level. Among the doses 0.05% was efficient and the varieties showed differences in response to the mutagens. Among the quantitative characters, days to 50 per cent anthesis, plant height, earhead length and grain yield revealed conspicuous increase in variability in treated populations. These characters differed on another account i.e., as compared to M2 in M3 some showed decrease while other showed increase in variability. (author). 8 refs., 5 tabs