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GENETIC VARIABILITY INDUCED BY GAMMA IRRADIATION AND ITS MODULATION WITH GIBBERELLIC ACID IN M2 GENERATION OF CHICKPEA (CICER ARIETINUM L.)

MUHAMMAD R. KHAN, *AFSARI S. QURESHI,¹SYED A. HUSSAIN AND ¹MUHAMMAD IBRAHIM

Abstract: Seeds of three chickpea genotypes viz., Noor 91 (white), Punjab 91 (brown) and C 141 (black) were treated at 40, 50 and 60 Kr separately and post mutagenically with gibberellic acid (GA₃). Plant height, number of primary and secondary branches, pods per plant, seeds per pod and grain yield in M₂ generation were significantly effected due to genotypes, treatments and also by their interaction. Plant height decreased nonsignificantly with both treatments except at 50 Kr of gamma irradiation. Primary branches increased significantly with gamma irradiation as compared to control. Post mutagenic application of GA₃ significantly decreased the number of primary branches at 50 and 60 Kr to that of gamma irradiation. Gamma irradiation significantly decreased number of secondary branches as compared to control. Post mutagenic application of GA₃ stimulated the secondary branches at 40 and 50 Kr as compared to irradiated population. Pods per plant significantly increased with gamma irradiation as compared to control. GA₃ application significantly decreased the pods per plant at 40 and 60 Kr which increased at 50 Kr to that of while gamma irradiation. Seeds per pod remained unchanged with gamma irradiation as compared to control while it increased significantly with GA₃. Gamma irradiation which increased the grain yield significantly as compared to control. Combined treatment stimulated the grain yield at 50 and 60 Kr to that of irradiated population.
 

Department of Biological Sciences, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan.
Federal Seed Certification and Registration Department Islamabad, Pakistan