| Summary: | The present investigation was undertaken for identification of high yielding desirable mutants from M3 seeds of two
gamma rays irradiated genotypes; GPU 28 with 3 doses (300,400,500 Gy) and KMR 204 with 2 doses (300,400 Gy).
A total of 152 mutant lines (102 of GPU 28 and 50 of KMR 204) of finger millet were evaluated in Augmented Block
Design along with two check cultivars (GPU 28 and KMR 204). Data were collected for eight different quantitative traits
on each mutant line. Analysis of genetic parameters, character association, genetic variability and genetic diversity
was done. Selection of plants was done on the basis of seed yield and its contributing traits. These selected plants
were evaluated in randomized complete block design with three replications along with two checks/parents in two
experiments, one for mutants of GPU 28 and other for KMR 204. In general, all treatments showed wider range of
variation compared to the parental range. Most treatment populations exhibited reduction in population mean and
increase in population variance for all the traits studied. Cluster analysis based on the morphological traits grouped
the mutants of GPU 28 into four and KMR 204 into three clusters. Estimates of heritability and genetic advance as per
cent of mean showed that selection in M3 population would be effective to improve the seed yield. Fifty-eight mutants
were selected from M3 generation on the basis of seed yield and its contributing traits. These selected mutants were
evaluated in M4 generation for productivity per se traits and compared to the previous generation. Results showed
significant improvement for seed yield and its contributing traits in M4 generation as compared to M3 generation.
Ten high yielding mutant progenies were identified in M4 generation, were significantly superior over best check.
Usefulness of induced mutagenesis for identification of high yielding mutant lines in finger millet was demonstrated
through the present study. Identified high yielding mutant lines can be utilized to develop new varieties and also,
selection of diverse lines from different clusters will help in exploitation of heterosis.
|
|---|