Mutagenic effectiveness and efficiency of gamma rays in snake gourd (Trichosanthes anguina l.)

Abstract

The present experiment was undertaken to determine the mutagenic effectiveness and efficiency of gamma rays on different biological parameters in snake gourd. The research was conducted in two generations namely M1 and M2 during spring-summer season (mid- February) of 2012 and 2013 at the Horticulture research station, Mondoury, Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya. The parent material, selfed seeds of BCSG-28 variety were irradiated with 100 Gy, 150 Gy, 200 Gy, 250 Gy and 300 Gy doses of gamma rays. The seeds along with control were space planted for raising M1 generation. Each M1 plant was harvested separately and desirable M1 individual plant progeny rows were laid in RBD for raising M2 generation. The effectiveness and efficiency of the mutagen used was assessed from the data on biological damage in M1 generation. In M1 generation, results showed a dose dependent retardation in biological parameters like seed germination, plant survival and 200 Gy was depicted as LD50 indicating less damaging effect at lower doses on genetic material. In M2 generation, Lower doses 100 Gy (28.80 effectiveness, 21.58 efficiency) and 150 Gy (18.33 effectiveness, 8.68 efficiency) treatments were found as effective and efficient and a wide range of induced variability was observed in almost all traits. The mutants with short fruit, higher fruit diameter and reduced vine length were isolated in M2 generation.