Journal of Applied Life Sciences International

Mutation breeding is one of the most reliable techniques in improving crop plants. The study was frequency and spectrum of macro-mutations along with the mutagenic effectiveness and efficiency of different doses of gamma rays in pea variety (Arkel). The irradiated seeds were sown in the M_1, M₂ generations in their respective control and harvested in bulk to raise the M₃ generation (2013-14) in Randomized Block Design with three replications. Screening of the M₃ generation revealed that the mutagenic treatments induced morphological and physiological changes in the variety. A spectrum of mutations which included variants with respect to plant stature, maturity, pod shape, seed colour and seed shape were observed mutagenic effectiveness is measure of the frequency of mutations induced by unit mutagen doses whereas mutagenic efficiency is measure of proportion of mutation in relation to undesirable changes like lethality and sterility etc. The frequency of mutagenic efficiency and effectiveness was found to be highest at lower doses. In mutation breeding where large populations are handled, estimation of mutagenic effect for macro mutation, effectiveness and efficiency may help the breeders in identifying effective treated populations in early generation for reduction in cost of breeding and enhancing scope of selection.