Assessment on induced genetic variability and divergence in the mutagenised tartary buckwheat populations developed using gamma rays and EMS mutagenesis

Abstract

For the purpose of increasing yield, induced mutagenesis was used to induce the genetic variability in Fagopyrum tataricum germplasm. Evaluation were done on the genetic diversity, trait association, and genetic divergence between the gamma rays and EMS mutated populations and one parent population. The results of the analysis of variance revealed that the observed quantitative phenotypic traits varied significantly between populations. In comparison to their parent population, the mean of the various treated populations displayed significantly superior quantitative phenotypic traits. The likelihood of yield increase by phenotypic selection in F. tartaricum was substantiated by higher h2 and GA values with high genotypic GCV. The number of inflorescence and flower per plant as well as seeds per inflorescence considered to be key attributes in screening for increased yield. The cluster analysis split the complete populations of F. tartaricum into seven distinct groups, with control population in a separate group, demonstrating the significant effectiveness of the mutagenic treatments. Taking into account the maximal involvement of the yield trait to genetic divergence among the clustered populations, it was concluded that the applied treatments resulted in a large hereditary variance for the characteristic in the mutagenised populations. Additionally, hybridization among the divergent group's members would result in a variety of segregants for crop development. In addition, induced mutations in chosen elite lines at loci affecting economically significant traits have effectively added to the diversification of the genetic base and could be surely be of great help to future mutation breeding approaches.