Analysis of gamma rays induced variability in lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.)

Abstract

In this study, a lentil variety, Idlib-3, was subjected to 100 Gy (LD50) gamma-ray irradiation. At M2, mutant families were characterized for the most beneficial agronomic traits. High genotypic coefficient of variation, broad sense heritability and genetic advance of the traits such as seed yield per plant and hundred-seed weight indicated expression of additive gene action and confirmed the response at early generation selection. Total number of pods per plant had positive correlation and the highest positive direct effect on seed yield per plant and hence the preference should be given for this trait during selection. The novel mutant families identified with early flowering, early maturity (families 5 and 90) in cluster I, and more first pod height (families 10,70 and 82) in cluster II could be utilized to breed short duration lentil varieties suitable for machine harvest