Abstract
Induced mutation in plant improvement has been proven to be one of the alternative ways to generate new sources of genetic variation in blackgram. In this study, dry seeds of VBN 4 blackgram were treated with combination treatment of both gamma rays (400, 500 and 600 Gy) and ethyl methane sulphonate (EMS) (50, 60 and 70 mM) to study the polygenic characters in M2 generation. The mean values for plant height, number of primary branches, number of clusters per plant, number of pods per plant, number of seeds per pod and single plant yield decreased below the control in most of the treatments. The mean single plant yield was more than for the control at 400 Gy+60 mM and 600 Gy+50 mM. Moderate and high phenotypic coefficients of variation (PCV) and genotypic coefficients of variation (GCV) were recorded in yield component characters such as plant height, number of primary branches, number of clusters per plant and number of pods per plant. A high amount of heritability and GA as per cent of mean was noted for plant height, number of clusters per plant, number of primary branches per plant, number of pods per plant, pod length, number of seeds, 100 seed weight and single plant yield. This denoted that these characters are governed largely by additive gene effect, which may be favorably exploited for improvement through simple selection in M2 generation. Key words: Gamma rays, ethyl methane sulphonate (EMS), blackgram, polygenic variability, M2 generation. 
Highlights
Pulses constitute an important role in human dietary
The mean values for plant height, number of primary branches, number of clusters per plant, number of pods per plant, number of seeds per pod and single plant yield decreased below the control in most of the treatments
A high amount of heritability and genetic advance (GA) as per cent of mean was noted for plant height, number of clusters per plant, number of primary branches per plant, number of pods per plant, pod length, number of seeds, 100 seed weight and single plant yield
Summary
Pulses constitute an important role in human dietary. They are important source of protein and are essential adjuncts to a predominantly cereal based diet and enhance the biological value of protein consumed. Pulses are often attributed as “poor man’s diet,” which are really important in Indian diet as a source of protein. Though pulses contributed significant role in human consumption but they have not yet reached a comfortable level of production. Blackgram [Vigna mungo (L.) Hepper], one of the important proteinaceous pulse crop grown largely in Abbreviations: EMS, Ethyl methane sulphonate; RBD, randomized block design; GA, genetic advance; PCV, phenotypic coefficients of variation; GCV, genotypic coefficients of variation.
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