DOI: 10.36347/sajb.2014.v02i12.018

Pages: 943-947

Induced variability in growth and yield characteristics in lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.) var. DPL-15 were studied by using chemical mutagen methyl methanesulphonate (MMS). Healthy seeds of lentil were treated with five different concentrations as 0.1%, 0.2%, 0.3%, 0.4% and 0.5% of mutagen. The seeds were sown in pots to raise the M1 generation. Later on the M1 generation seeds were collected and sown in next season to raise the M2 generation. Different parameters related to growth like seed germination, plant survival and percentage reduction in pollen fertility were studied in M1 generation. Quantitative characters were studied in M2 generation like branches per plant, fertile branches per plant, pods per plant and 100 seeds weight. Dose dependent decrease in seed germination and plant survival were observed in M1 generation while as in M2 generation dose dependent decrease in different parameters like branches per plant, fertile branches per plant, pods per plant were observed but there was increase in 100 seeds weight at lower concentrations of MMS. The shift in mean values in positive direction for 100 seeds weight indicate that selection for this character would be effective in subsequent generations. The weight of 100 seeds is a dependable index of yielding ability of pulses. Although the mean 100 seeds weight showed a slight increase, the genetic variability induced for this character can play an important role in overcoming the yield barriers.