Gamma radiation effect on protein content of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) in M1, M2 and M3 generation

Abstract

Alfalfa is the world’s oldest and most important livestock feeding crop belongs to the family fabaceae and botanically known as the Medicago sativa L. Alfalfa leaf contains essential vitamins, carbohydrates and also source of proteins. Gamma radiation is one of the physical mutagen that widely used for mutation breeding. In present investigation the seeds of Alfalfa were irradiated with different doses of gamma radiation (5 KR, 10 KR, 15 KR, 20 KR, 25 KR, 30 KR, 35 KR, 40 KR, 45 KR, and 50 KR) and untreated seeds with gamma radiation were used as control. Treatment combinations were arranged in a randomized block design with eleven replication. Leaf protein estimation was done in M1, M2 and M3 generation. Result revealed that in M1, M2 and M3 generation lower doses of gamma radiation had a stimulating effect on enhancing protein content of Alfalfa.