Abstract:
Seeds of sesamum Cv. Kayamkulam-l were irradiated with gamma rays
at doses 5 to 30 krad. The effects of irradiation in the M and M, generations
were studied. The doses employed had no effect on germination, seedling
emergence and plant height in the M, generation. With increase in the dose
there was a steady decrease in survival and pollen fertility. The frequency of
chlorophyll mutation estimated on M, plant basis was higher than the estimate on !V plant basis The mutation spectrum included xantha (yellow) and chlorina
(yellow green). Segregation ratio was maximum at 10 krad and minimum at
25 krad. Mutagenic effectiveness and efficiency were high at the lower doses
and decreased with increasing doses. These observations indicate that gamma
rays at low fo medium doses can be successfully employed for inducing
mutations in sesamum.