Development and characterization of gamma ray and EMS induced mutants for powdery mildew resistance in blackgram.

Purpose: During post-rainy and rice fallow cropping seasons, popular blackgram varieties are severely affected by powdery mildew leading to severe yield loss. The lack of natural genetic variability for powdery mildew resistance in blackgram germplasm warrants mutation breeding. Hence, in this study, blackgram cultivar CO6 was mutagenized with gamma ray and ethyl methanesulphonate (EMS) to create variability for powdery mildew resistance.

Mutagenic effectiveness and efficiency of gamma rays and combinations with EMS in the induction of macro mutations in blackgram (Vigna mungo (L.) Hepper).

Blackgram, an important pulse crop of India and other Asian countries, is a rich source of protein. Genetic improvement in this crop is generally slow-paced due to the lack of wide genetic variability available for selection. To create variability for important morphological traits and yield, induced mutagenesis was attempted in a popular blackgram cultivar CO 6 using gamma rays (γ rays-Co) and a combination of ethyl methanesulphonate (EMS) and gamma rays.