Gamma Irradiated Variability Studies in Bambara Groundnut (Vigna subterranea (L.) Verdc)

Variability induced by gamma irradiation for yield contributing traits was studied in M₁ and M₂ generation of Bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranea (L.)Verdc) genotype SB-42. Germination andsurvival percent in M₁ generation decreased with the increase in doses of gamma irradiation. LD₅₀ was found to be 200Gy. Lower dose of 150Gy did not affect the germination whereas, there was very low germination at highest dose 225Gy. Although there was no variation in M₁ generation compared to check for all the characters at all doses of gamma radiation in M₂ generation, negative shift in mean was observed for all the character except days to flowering. Significant morphological variability was observed in M₂ generation. Except days to 50% flowering all the characters showed negative shitf in mean compared to control check SB-42. High variance was observed for branches per plant and nunmber od pods per plant.