Effects of gamma irradiation on induced mutation

Effects of gamma irradiation on induced mutation. Two-thousand seeds of orba soybean variety (water content 14%) were irradiated with gamma rays with doses of 0, 0.10, 0.20, 0.30 and 0.40 kGy each at the Center for Application of Isotopes and Radiation. Pasar Jum'at, Jakarta. After irradiation, seeds were directly planted in the field. Genetic variance in plant height of M2 generation irradiation at a dose of 0.10 kGy was not significantly different from the control. However, a highly significant difference in plant height was observed at doses of 0.20, 0.30 and 0.40 kGy. The genetic variance at doses of 0.10, 0.20, 0.30, and 0.40 kGy in the number of main nodes, productive branches, fertile and empty pods were highly significant compared to the control. These genetic variances derived from irradiation treatments were useful in the selection for certain characteristics. Dose of 0.20 kGy or more might be effective in producing short culm, while doses of 0.30 and 0.40 kGy tend to be effective in producing higher number of nodes, higher number of productive branches and fertile pods. A lower number of empty pods tend to be effectively produced at doses of 0.10 and 0.20 kGy. 16 refs