Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi - 221 005, India.
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Colchicine induced autotetraploids (C3) showed genotype specific changes in various physiological and productive traits. Maturity and reproductivephase durations increased in tetraploids as compared to their diploid counterparts. Decline in chlorophyll content on per unit fresh leaf weight basis, while increase in amount of chlorophyll on per unit leaf area basis and total seed protein content were observed in autotetraploids. Reduction in number of pods per plant, pod length, number of seeds per pod and seed yield per plant were found, while increase in 25-seed weight was recorded in autotetraploids as compared to their respective diploids. The positive effects of chromosome doubling on several traits in relation to suitable genotypes should be given due consideration, while formulating the breeding procedure for the improvement of autotetraploids.
