INDUCED MUTATIONS IN CHICKPEA (CrCER ARIETINUM L.) IV. TYPES OF MACROMUTATIONS INDUCED

Abstract

A wide range of chlorophyll and viable morphological mutations affecting almost all the parts of plant and seed characteristic were isolated in M2 and M3 generation of chickpea. The spectrum of viable mutations was wider in the relatively mutagen resistant desi var. G 130 and green seeded var. L 345 than desi var. H 214 and Kabuli var. C 104. The wide range of variability for plant type mutations obtained has far exceeded the expectations. Some of these plant type mutants are so uncommon that they are being reported for the first time in this crop. The most strikiI~g plant type mutants include Miniature, Dwarfs, Compact, Upright, and Tall. Some of these plant type mutants correspond very closely with the ideotype being looked for in this crop. These mutants can be better fitted in new cropping patterns and with improved agronomic management, their yielding ability may even be better. The spectrum of mutations was dependent upon the nature of the mutagen used. The total types of mutations induced by NMU were higher than with gamma rays and EMS and neutrons, thus indicating that NMU is highly useful mutagen when one is looking for major gene changes. The results also indicated that induced mutability is governed by the genotype of the material used. There is evidence to show that the same mutagen may produce different spectra in different varieties, thus suggesting mutagenic specificity against certain alleles governing characters. A large number of multiple mutations affecting two or more characters were also found.