Induced variability in quantitative characters of groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.)

Groundnut genotype AK-280 was treated with EMS 40 mM, 60 mM, gamma rays 30 kR, 40 kR, 50 kR and combination treatment of EMS 20mM + gamma rays 20 kR. The observations on various quantitative characters were recorded in M2 generation. The flowering and maturityperiod was not much affected. For the character height of main axis genotype showed differential response to different treatments of mutagens.Significantly reduced height was observed in 40 kR gamma rays (7.57 cm) as compared to control. Lower doses of EMS (40 mM) and combinedtreatment of EMS 20 mM + gamma rays 20 kR proved effective in increasing the number of primary branches. Significant increase in number ofsecondary branches was observed in various treatments. Significant reduction in number of hanging pegs per plant was observed in 40 kRtreatment. Number of matured pods per plant were found decreased in all the treatments except 40 mM EMS treatment. Pod yield per plant andkernel yield per plant were found increased in combined treatment of EMS 20 mM + gamma rays 20 kR. Hundred pod weight and hundred kernelweight was found increased in combined treatments and in lower dose of gamma rays (30 kR). Combined treatments and lower doses ofmutagens were found effective in increasing sound mature kernel per cent. Shelling per cent and oil content were found increased in all thetreatments. In the present investigation the combined treatment of EMS 20 mM + gamma rays 20 kR and gamma rays 40 kR alone were foundmore effective for inducing wide range of mutation in groundnut.