Induction of double mutations in Urdbean (Vigna mungo L. Hepper) using combined treatment of EMS and gamma rays

Urdbean (Black gram) is the third important pulse crop of India, and the stupendous breeding efforts have been made for augmentation of yield ceiling and quality in this crop. Almost all the varieties of this crop are generally of rough with black seed. Any breeding effort in the direction of improving the seed colour would be appreciated among the consumers and farmers. Four hundred pure, uniform, healthy and dry (9.5 % moisture) seeds of cultivar Pant Urd-30 were treated with 60Co gamma rays (100, 200, 300 and 400Gy doses), EMS (0.2, 0.4, 0.6 and 0.8%) and combination of gamma doses, viz., 100, 200, 300 and 400Gy with 0.2 % EMS. In M2 generation, four double mutations for seed and pod colour were observed in different frequencies in various treatments of EMS, gamma rays and combination of both. The mutants with black shining seeds and black pods were found maximally followed by the mutant with golden shining seeds and black pods and with yellow and black spotted shining seeds and brown pods. All the mutants were identified and compared with the parent (Pant Urd-30) as well as the standard check (T-9) in M4 generation in randomized block design with three replications during Kharif, 2002. The data were recorded on 10 randomly selected plants from each replication for different yield and yield attributing traits viz., plant height, number of pods per plant, pod length, number of seeds per pod, 100 seed weight and grain yield per plant whereas days to flowering and days to maturity were observed on the plot basis. The Results obtained indicated at SM-3 (Seed Mutant-3) produced maximum grain yield per plant (7.38g) followed by SM-4 (7.08g). The higher grain yield of the mutants could be due to less infection of MYMV and minimum damage by the insects as compared to the check whereas minimum grain yield per plant in SM-6 and SM-8. Maximum 100 seed weight was observed in SM-2 (5.00g) followed by SM-3 (4.96g). The mutant SM-4 required minimum days for maturity whereas maximum was observed in case of SM-5 in comparison to parent and check. Such seed and pod colour mutants accompanied higher grain yield and high protein content may be used as a variety or breeding line directly and indirectly for the improvement of blackgram crop. (author)