Mutagenic Effectiveness and Efficiency of Gamma Rays Ethyl Methane Sulphonate and Their Combined Treatments in Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp)

Mutagenic effectiveness and efficiency of gamma rays, EMS and their combined treatments were studied in the genotype of cowpea variety CO7. The mutagenic treatments seeds were tested for lethal dose 50 percent for all mutagens, separately and the dose at which 50 percent of the seed germination was considered as LD values. Gamma rays, EMS and combined mutagens are produced a high frequency as well as a wide 50 spectrum of mutation. The frequency of mutation was more in combined treatments than gamma rays and EMS. The mutagenic effectiveness and efficiency was calculated based on biological damage. In M generation based 1 on seed lethality (L) and seedling injury (I) and M generation was carefully screened for various chlorophyll 2 and viable mutations. Mutagenic effectiveness and efficiency increased with the decreased in dose or concentration. In the present study EMS was provide to be more effective and efficient in causing mutations as compared to gamma rays and the combined treatments.