Genetic enhancement of groundnut through gamma ray induced mutagenesis

Induced mutagenesis along with recombination breeding played a vital role in the genetic improvement of groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) at Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, India. In continuation of ongoing mutation research since the 1960s, popular cv. TAG 24 was irradiated with gamma rays in order to further generate genetic variability. As expected, higher doses of gamma rays drastically affected the seedling traits in the M1 generation. In the M2, in all 71 true breeding macro mutants affecting plant height, leaf colour, leaf type, leaf size and leaf shape, flower colour, pod type, seed size and seed colour were isolated, characterized and maintained. (author)