Induced mutagenesis in Chickpea (Cicer arietinum (L.) with special reference to the frequency and spectrum of chlorophyll mutations

A relative study of frequency and spectrum of chlorophyll mutations induced by mutagens in M 2 generation was made with chickpea (Cicer arietinum (L). Variety ‘CO-4’. The treatments include different doses/concentrations of Gamma rays (20, 30, 40, 50 and 60kR) and Ethyl Methane Sulphonate (10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 mM). From the study, the overall frequencies and spectrum of five types of induced chlorophyll mutants Viridis (0.55), Xantha (0.46), Chlorina (0.45), Albina (0.43) and Tigrina (0.35) were observed. The frequency of chlorophyll mutation was increased with increasing concentrations up to a level, beyond it declined in both the mutagens. And the chlorophyll frequency was found in the order of viridis > xantha >chlorina> Albina >tigrina. The chemical mutagen, EMS was found to be more effective in inducing chlorophyll mutations than gamma rays in Chick pea.