Mutation breeding in medicinal yam Dioscorea floribunda

The effectiveness of gamma irradiation and two chemical mutagens, NMU and DES on the medicinal Yam Dioscorea floribunda was studied. Chemical mutagens were more effective in altering the mean values. DES was more effective than NMU. NMU was found to stimulate germination and seedling vigour. Although mean values were not affected by irradiation, genetic variances were considerably increased. The possibility of altering the genetic architecture of this crop through mutation breeding is suggested. (author)