Mutagenic effectiveness and efficiency of gamma rays, ethyl methane sulphonate and their combination treatments in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)

A systematic and comparative study on mutagenic ability of different doses of ethyl methane sulphonate (EMS, an alkylating agent), gamma rays (an ionizing radiation) and EMS + gamma rays was carried out in a well-adapted desi chickpea variety HPG17. All mutagenic treatments were effective in inducing genetic variability. A proportional decrease in germination of mutagen treated seeds as well as subsequent plant survival was observed with increase in mutagen dose.