[en] Seeds of five varieties of ragi viz., Purna, Annapurna, Cauvery, H₂₂ and Hamsa were treated with gamma rays (20 kr and 30 kr), Fast Neutrons (0.8 kr and 1.2 kr) and Ethyl methane sulphonate (0.2% and 0.3% for 16 hrs.) with a view to isolate agronomically desirable dwarf mutants in Purna, Annapurna, Cauvery and H₂₂ and desirable earhead mutants in Hamsa. In M₁ generation, biological effects of these mutagens on germination, seedling growth, pollen and seed fertility were studied. In the M₂ generation, a total of 60 dwarfs were isolated from all the treatments. Out of these, after subsequent testing, two dwarfs in Purna, three in Annapurna, two in Cauvery and one in H₂₂ were found to be promising. Some of the induced dwarfs were having better harvest index. The dwarf mutant of H₂₂ had a height of 30 cm., in contrast to 100 cm., in original parent. Although this mutant has a very low yield potential, it can form an excellent breeding material in hybridization programmes. In Hamsa, mutants for earhead shape and size were isolated with a gradation from extreme fist type to completely open and lax ears. The yield potential of the earhead mutants was either significantly lower or on par with the original Hamsa. (author)