STUDIES ON THE EFFECTS OF GAMMA RAYS ON NIGELLA SATIVA L. IN M1 GENERATION

Abstract

In the present situation of variable climatic conditions, global warming and sky-high populations, sustainable boost in the agricultural productivity is the utmost priority. View this point, induced mutation is the best approach to create the new genetic variability. The present study has been conducted to study the effects of gamma rays on Nigella sativa L. var. NRCSSAN-1. The seeds of Nigella sativa were mutagenized with 25, 50, 75 and 100 Gy radiation of gamma rays to develop a viable mutant. Different qualitative and quantitative traits of mutant plant were screened time to time and compared with control (untreated/normal plant). A macro mutations were induced affecting all plant parts and different morphological variants were screened and isolated on the basis of economic importance. The different morphological parameters such as plant height, number of fertile branches per plant and number of capsules per plant, number of locules per capsule, number of seeds per capsule and 1000 seeds weight were increasing with decreasing the doses. The different morphological traits having positive and strong correlation, will definitely be helpful in selection of improved mutants in subsequent generations. Cytological abnormalities were increasing with increasing the doses. The most abnormalities were seen in 100 Gy and lowest in 25 Gy. It is concluded that gamma rays at its optimal doses (25 Gy and 50 Gy) are ameliorative for medicinal herb- Nigella sativa. L.