Efficacy of physical and chemical mutagenic treatments for developing superior mutants in greengram (Vigna radiata)

Greengram [Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek] varieties Sujata and OBGG 52 were treated with gamma rays (20, 40 and 60kR), EMS (0.2, 0.4 and 0.6%), NG (0.005, 0.010 and 0.015%) and MH (0.01, 0.02 and 0.03%) individually and combine mutagens of 40 kR gamma rays coupled with 0.4% EMS or 0.010% NG or 0.02% MH . Best three high yielding progenies of M 3 generation from each treatment were assessed for yield and eight yield attributing traits in M 4 and M 5 generation during 2009-10. Ten of Sujata and twelve of OBGG 52 mutant cultures exhibited significantly higher yield over their respective parent variety. High frequency of positive mutations was observed for pod length, pods/plant, seeds/pod and 100-seed weight in both the varieties. Single mutagenic treatments were more effective in both varieties than the combine treatments. Mutagenic treatments dose of 20 and 60 kR gamma rays; 0.2, 0.4, and 0.6% EMS ; 0.005 and 0.015% NG , 0.01% MH and gamma rays (40 kR) followed by NG (0.01%) or MH (0.02%) were most effective in  induction and isolation of more useful mutants.