Abstract

Experiments were carried out with two redgram varieties to study the effects of gamma rays and DES on germination, survival, plant height, pollen and seed forti- lity in M, generarion. The germination of seeds and survival of seedlings were gradu- ally reduced by the increase in doses of mutagens. But the reduction was more with gamma rays than DES. The low doses of mutagens slightly increased the plant height on 30th day, while the higher doses reduced the plant height. The height reduction was more at early stage than at later stage for the same dose of muta- gons. In respect of pollen fertility, more reduction was noticed with DES than with gamma rays in the variety SA, 1 and the reverse was the case in CO. 2. DES was more potent in reducing the seed fertility than gamma rays. The mutagenic sensiti- vity not only depends upon the genotype but also on the type of mutagens used.

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