Effect of gamma radiation and ethyl methane sulphonate on germination and seedling development in mungbean [Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek]

Abstract

An experiment has been conducted with archaic varieties of mungbean using gamma radiation and ethyl methane sulphonate to generate genetic variability in the genotypes. Total 26 treatment combinations of physical and chemical mutagens were evaluated with control (seed soaked in distilled water for 4 hrs) and absolute control (normal dry seed). Mungbean varieties ‘Ganga-1’ and ‘GM-4’ expressed in a different way under various treatment combinations of gamma radiation and ethyl methane sulphonate. Variety ‘Ganga-1’ was found more sensitive to both physical and chemical mutagens as compared to ‘GM-4’. Gamma radiation with 400 Gy was found nearest to LD50 in variety ‘Ganga-1’; however, it was 600 Gy in case of variety ‘GM-4’. Seed germination and seedling development of mungbean was found to be adversely affected with higher dose of gamma radiation (400 Gy onwards) and concentration of EMS (0.2%). Combined application of physical and chemical mutagens was found to be more effective in creating variability, which provides an opportunity to select desirable genotypes for mungbean improvement.