Induced chlorophyll and morphological mutations in mungbean (Vigna radiata L. Wilczek)

Seeds (9% moisture content) of two mungbean varieties PS 16 and Sona were exposed to six doses (10 to 60 KR) of gamma rays or treated with four concentration of ethyl methanesulphonate (0.1 to 0.4%) alone or in various combination. A wide range of chlorophyll and morphological mutants was observed in the M₂. The range was greater with EMS than with gamma rays or combined treatments. The spectrum of chlorophyll mutations consisted of albina, chlorina, viridis and xantha. Of these chlorophyll mutations, xantha type was predominant in both the mutagenic treatments. The spectrum and frequency of chlorophyll mutations increased with increase in doses or concentration of the mutagens. EMS produced the highest frequency of mutations followed by gamma rays or their combinations. The different types of morphological mutants were induced. The chlorophyll deficient and flower colour mutations are of hardly any economic importance, but the compact, dwarf, early, large pod size and synchronous maturity mutants are agronomically desirable which may be utilized in future breeding programme.