**2.20 Morphological and yield attributes of M3 mutants**

Desirable mutants such as tall, dwarf, early, late, long and broad pod as well as high yielding were isolated from M2 and M3 generations. More than seven true breeding macromutants (Table-5) were characterized on the basis of morphological and yield attributes, which may be useful for future breeding programme in horsegram yield improvement.


Data are means of three replicates ± standard deviation. Significant difference due to treatments was assessed by Fisher's LSD as a post-hoc test.

Table 5. Morphological and yield attributes of M3 mutants of horsegram cv. Dapoli Kulthi-1.

#### **2.21 Tall**

These mutants were vigorous, tall (71.50cm), with medium and thick leaves with delayed flowers and pod formation compared to control. There was significant increase in primary branches, pods, 1000 seed weight and seed yield per plant (Plate- 4).

Induction of Genetic Variability

**2.22 Dwarf** 

**2.23 Early** 

**2.24 Late** 

**2.25 Long pod** 

**2.26 Broad pod** 

weight 27.80g (control 26.80g).

control.

with Gamma Radiation and Its Applications in Improvement of Horsegram 223

Plant height of these mutants ranged from 15 to 20cm and had profuse branching at the base, which formed a dense umbrella like canopy (Plate- 4 ). There was significant reduction

The induced dwarfness is desirable agronomic trait, because plant density per unit area, will be very high. It will help for fast translocation of metabolites from source to sink (Auti, 2005). Such mutants are valuable for investigating plant gene function and developing new

Early mutants were associated with dwarfness and showing early flowering within a short span of 30-33 days in comparison with the flowering duration of 53-57 days in control. The total duration of the crop was 65-70 days against 100-110 days in control (Plate- 4). Such type of mutants were recorded earlier in horsegram (Dalvi, 1990, Rudraswamy *et al*., 2006 and Bolbhat and Dhumal (2010). These mutants are highly desirable to reduce the crop duration. Short duration variety of horsegram will play a key role in avoiding drought and water

These mutants were with broad and thick dark green foliage, tall and bearing late flowers as compared to control. Flowering was achieved in 60 to 65 DAS against 53 to 57 DAS in control. Plant height, primary branches per plant, pods per plant, pod length, seeds per pod,

According Auti (2005) late maturity in these mutants was due to genetic damage caused by

The plants were normal in appearance with comparatively longer pods, containing seven to eight seeds per pod. (Plate- 4). Plant height, primary branches per plant, pods per plant, pod length, seeds per pod and seed yield per plant were significantly increased over

These mutants showed considerable increase in all quantitative traits, contributing to increase in yield. This type of mutants were reported earlier in mungbean (Auti and Apparao, 2009), urdbean (Sagade, 2008 and Gahlot *et al*., 2008), cowpea (Girija and

These mutants had broad pods containing 6-7 bold seeds per pod (Plate- 4). Significant decrease was noted in days required for first flowering 60.40 DAS (control 61.70DAS) and maturity period 97.50DAS (control 102.20DAS). There was significant increase in 1000 seed

1000 seed weight and seed yield per plant was improved over control (Plate- 4).

the mutagens. Same may be the reason for horsegram late mutants.

Dhanavel, 2009) and horsegram (Bolbhat and Dhumal, 2010).

in number of days required for first flowering and pod maturity period.

crop variety with lodging resistance (Wei *et al*., 2008).

stress faced by rainfed agriculture.

Plate 4. Stable mutants (M3 generation)
