Effect of gamma rays and EMS on M₁ generation of okra

An experiment was conducted to study the effect of gamma rays and EMS on M₁ generation of okra (cv. Phule Utkarsha). Various characters of okra were influenced by irradiating the seeds with gamma rays, EMS and combination of both mutagens. The germination and survival percentage was decreased, while mortality percentage was increased with increase in both mutagens. Days for first flower, days required for first fruit and 50% flowering increased with increase in mutagenic doses. The height of plant, number of fruits per plant, nodes per plant, green fruit yield per plant, per plot and per hectare were decreased with increase in mutagenic doses. The observed variability for various characters revealed scope for improvement in this crop.