Assessment of Genetic Variability, Heritability and Character Association in Gamma Rays Induced M₂ Generation of Field Pea

Two cultivars of field pea viz. HFP-4 and Rachna were irradiated with eight different doses (5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35 and 40 kR) of ⁶⁰Co gamma-rays. The populations of both cultivars were assessed in M₂ generation for genetic variability, heritability and character association during crop season 2009–10. Analysis of variance indicated significant differences among the varieties, doses, and varieties x doses interaction for all the traits. High heritability (>75%) was recorded for all the quantitative traits in both cultivars from one or another dose of gamma rays radiation. The maximum genotypic and phenotypic coefficient of variation (GCV & PCV) was observed from 40 kR for number of pods per plant in cultivar Rachna. Seed yield per plant showed highly significant and positive correlation with days to 50 per cent flowering, number of seeds per pod, 100-seed weight, on the contrary, a highly significant and negative correlation was observed with plant height. Gamma rays mutation was found effective in generating a considerable amount of genetic variability and heritability for all the traits in both cultivars which can be exploited through selection.