Induced mutagenesis in Cicer arietinum

The traditional varieties of chick pea have low potentiality and restricted variability with respect to economic characters. Broadening the genetic base for crop improvement can be quickly achieved through induced mutagenesis. The present study was undertaken in order to comparing the effectiveness and efficiency of mutagens on Cicer arietinum. In this regard, Co – 4 variety of chick pea was subjected to different dose/concentration of Gamma rays (20, 30, 40, 50 and 60 kR) and Ethyl Methane Sulphonate (10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 mM) for inducing mutation. Mutagenic effectiveness and efficiency was calculated based on biological damage in M1 and chlorophyll mutations in M2. The results indicated that, mutagenic effectiveness increased with the increase in dose/concentration of mutagen. Intermediate treatments in general were found more efficient in causing less biological damage and inducing maximum amount of mutations. It shows that the chemical mutagens are more effective and efficient than physical mutagen for inducing mutation in Chick pea.