| Yielding ability of the mutants induced from wheat
var. K68 against released varieties at different levels of nitrogen
Devender KUMAR Research Project on "use of Saline Water in Agriculture" Department of Agric. Chemistry, R.B.S. College, Bichpuri Agra-283105 (U.P.), India Introduction Gamma-rays in addition to other physical and chemical mutagens have been exploited in inducing economically useful mutants. Mutants viz., 'Remei' from Fujiminori (FUTSUHARA et al. 1967), 'Sarbati Sonora' from Sonora 64 (SWAMINATHAN et al. 1968), and 'Rajeni' from Mexi Pak 65 (KHAN 1973), are worth mentioning in this regard. According to the last tally made by FAO/IAEA, Joint division of atomic energy in 1973, through out the world, there were 116 commercially accepted varieties, developed by mutation breeding. Out of these 22, were developed through gamma-rays. In all 48 varieties had been induced in cereals. Thus, gamma-rays may some times be equally effective in generating useful variability as that from conventional breeding procedures. Present investigation deals with the conduction of a yield trial of 4 mutants against 4 released varieties at three levels of nitrogen in M5 generation (1973-74). Material and Methods Certain agronomically improved mutants were induced in a tall growing wheat var. K68, through the exposure of different doses (5, 10, 15 and 20 kr) of Co60 gamma-rays at two seed moisture (14.0 and 4.0%) levels. These mutants were stabilized in M3 generation and were assessed for yielding ability against control in M4 generation. Four mutants on the basis of their performance in M4 generation were selected for the final yield trial against released varietics in M5 generation (1973-74). Mutants choseh were. HUW-Df 8, HUW-SDf 1, HUW-Df-Hp 1 and 3. Varieties used were, Kalyan Sona. HD 1982, HD 2028 and K 852. Latter three were released for commercial sowing in 1972-73. Three levels i.e. 80, 120 and 160 of kg/ha of nitrogen and one level i.e. 60 kg/ha of phosphorus and potash, each were used for this purpose. Split-plot-design with three replications was used. Standard plot size used was 10 m2. Results and Discussion The data on mean yield (Q/ha) of mutants and released varieties at three levels of nitrogen are presented in Table 1. It is evident from the results that with 80 kg N/ha, Kalyan Sona out yielded all the mutants and varieties. While mutant HUW-Df-Hp 1 and the variety K 852 yielded the lowest. Whereas, with 120 kg N/ha, Kalyan Sona yielded the same as with 80 kg N/ha, thus showing no response of increased level of nitrogen. Variety HD 1982 yielded the highest followed by mutant HUW-SDf 1 at 120 kg N/ha, Though mutant HUW-SDfl and the variety HD 1982 exhibited differential yielding ability, yet their response towards increased nitrogen (upto 120 kg/ha) was similar. For instance almost 19.8 and 18.4% increased yield was achieved at 120 kg N/ha level as compared to 80 kg N/ha for HD 1982 and the mutant HUW-SDfl respectively. High protein mutants (HUW-Df-Hpl and 3) yielded the lowest expressing negative correlation between yield and total protein. Results are in agreement with those of BAKER et al. (1968) and MEHDI (1970). |
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