DESIRABLE AND PRODUCTIVE MUTANT IN 296B GENOTYPE OF SORGHUM

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted at Sorghum Research Station, VNMKV, Parbhani. In the investigation 296B sorghum genotype was selected and treated for physical mutagen gamma rays (Co60) treatment in Nuclear and Agriculture Division, BARC, Trombay, Mumbai at five different concentrations viz., 10kR, 20kR, 30kR, 40kR and 50kR. Experiment was laid out in RBD design with three replications. Finding reported that gamma irradiation induced a wide range of morphological mutations. The maximum number of mutants was obtained at 50 kR (42), followed by 10 kR (35), 20 kR (29), 40 kR (27) and 30 kR (26). Total 159 mutants were recorded during investigation at M2 generation. Reaction to grain mold disease revealed that the treatment 40kR and 50kR were moderately resistance to grain mold disease. Among all M2 generation, number of mutant plants was recorded for dwarf, early, large panicle, less grain mold score and bold seed character. Early type mutants had significance to escape from terminal moisture stress. The eight dwarf plants were observed in M2 generation of 296B. Bold seed mutants may have more consumer preference. Yellowish midrib mutants observed in all gamma rays’ treatments having juicy stem may tolerant to moisture stress. One bold seeded mutant was observed in 50kR treatment. Single plant found resistant to grain mold in treatment 40 and 50kR treatment.