Induced genetic variability with EMS and studies on frequency and spectrum of chlorophyll mutations in Pigeonpea

Abstract

Four hundred seeds in each of two long duration pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.) Cultures viz.,MAL 13 and MA156were treated with three different concentrations (0.01M, 0.015M and 0.02M) of EMS. At lab condition, germination varied from 71% in MAL 13 (at 0.02M) to 88% in MA 156 (at 0.01M). Average root and shoot length decreased with increase in dose concentration in both the genotypes. In M2, the highest in frequency of chlorophyll mutants (3.31%) at 0.015 M in MAL 13, followed by 2.73% at 0.015M in MA 156 and lowest (0.72%) was found at 0.01M in MA 156. Chlorophyll mutants viz., Albino, Xantha, Chlorina and Viridis were observed. MAL 13 is very sensitive to EMS and high efficiency was observed in 0.015M concentration.