Effect of chemical mutagens on character association in sesame (Sesamum indicum L.)

An investigation was carried out to study the nature and magnitude of induced genetic variability in sesame (Sesamum indicum L.). Seeds of three sesame genotypes, GT-2, PARAM and VIKRANT were treated with four concentrations of ethyl methane sulphonate (0.5%, 1.0%, 1.5% and 2.0%), separately. Mutant generations from M1 to M2 were raised to study the extent of variability, heritability and genetic advance in mutant populations. Mutations surpassed the magnitude of variability over control population in both the generations. Genotypic and phenotypic variances were higher for sterility % and 1000-seed weight in both M1 and M2 generations. Regardless of the genotype, M1 generation professed maximum genotypic and phenotypic coefficients of variability (GCV and PCV) for number of seeds per capsule. On the contrary, in M2 generation induced populations of all the three genotypes engendered maximum GCV and PCV for seed yield per plant. High heritability for sterility percentage and 1000-seed weight coupled with high genetic advance inferred that additive gene effects were important in determining these characters and could be improved through mass selection.