Effect of mutagens on quantitative characters in M2 generation of castor (Ricinus communis L.)

Abstract

The mutagenic effects of two different doses of gamma rays (500 and 750 Gy) on three castor (Ricinus communis L.) genotypes JP-94, JI-444 and GP-15-1 were investigated. The quantitative characters studied include; days to 50% flowering of primary raceme, days to maturity of primary raceme, plant height up to primary raceme, number of nodes up to primary raceme, length of primary raceme, effective length of primary raceme, number of effective branches per plant, number of capsules on primary raceme, shelling out turn, seed yield per plant, 100-seed weight and oil content. Both negative and positive shifts in mean values were recorded as a result of the physical treatments. The results indicate the possibilities of evolving higher yield variants through proper selection.