Effect of Gamma Rays on Germination, Morphology, Yield and Biochemical Studies in Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.)

Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) is an important oilseed crop and grain legume grown worldwide. The groundnut seed has dual advantage of being important as a source of edible oil as well as protein. However, it is self pollinating and possesses limited variability. Despite its long history of cultivation, broad sub-specific variability and wide geographic distribution of the cultivated groundnut, defects in its genetic composition with respect to requirement of man are wide spread and for many of these no remedial resources are known to exist among its varietal forms. The exploitation of genetic resources from wild species is extremely difficult because of ploidy differences between cultivated tetraploid and diploid wild species coupled with compatibility barriers except with Arachis section. to induce polygenic variability for yield and its components in peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) var. VRI-2 were treated with γ-radiation (10, 20, 30, 40, 50, and 60 KR). Effects of gamma rays treatment were observed in M1 generation gradually reduced in all parameters except days to first flower to increase concentration of treatment. In M2, M3 and M4 populations, the significant increase of grain yields and yield components of Groundnut were observed. Potential high yielding mutants were identified in progenies of treated seeds.