Gamma rays and EMS induced chlorophyll mutations in mungbean (Vigna radiata L. Wilczek)

The chlorophyll mutations were investigated in a population of established cultivars of mungbean namely, T44, PDM 11 and PDM 54, induced through gamma rays (10, 20, 30 and 40 kR), EMS (0.01, 0.02, 0.03 and 0.04 M) and combination of 10, 20, 30 and 40 kR gamma rays with 0.02 M EMS. The frequency and spectrum for different types of chlorophyll mutations viz. albina, xantha, chlorina and viridis in M2 generation were observed. The frequency and spectrum of chlorophyll mutations were marked difference between three cultivars under present investigation and observed that, 30kR gamma rays and 0.02 M EMS in T44, 20 kR gamma rays and 0.03 M EMS in PDM 11 and 20 kR gamma rays and 0.02 M EMS in PDM 54 induce maximum chlorophyll mutations. Combinedtreatments produced higher mutation frequencies than the individual doses of mutagens. Highest chlorophyll mutations frequencies were observed in combination of 20 kR gamma rays + 0.02 M EMS in all the three cultivars. Genotypic differences were observed with regard to frequencies and spectrum. Chlorina and viridis appeared to be more frequently, relative to other chlorophyll mutations. Inheritance of albina, xantha, chlorina and viridis was monogencally controlled and was recessive in nature. Independent response towards the mutagenic treatments for chlorophyll mutations was observed among all the three cultivars.