Enhancement of seed protein and amino acid content in M3 and M4 generation of blackgram (Vigna mungo (L.) Hepper) treated by γ-rays

The present study aims to improve the seed protein content of mutant blackgram and determine the influence of gamma irradiation on morphogenetic features and amino acids in the mutant blackgram population. The quantitative characteristics analysis, essential amino acids, and protein modifications with various dosages of gamma rays were studied using M3 and M4 generation black gram seeds. Among the varied dosages, 600 Gy demonstrated an enhanced level of agronomical yield features such as the number of days for 50% blooming (days) and early maturity (days), as well as an increase in grain yield (g). The survival rate was evaluated by seedlings 50 percent (LD50) germination after 800 Gy of radiation. The protein profile investigation reveals dosage variation in M3 generation and a wide variety of band patterns in M4 production. The amino acid spectrum shows an increase in amino acid levels in the M4 generation compared to the M3 generation at 600 Gy, including arginine (0.19), aspartic (0.039), cystine (11.53), DL-alanine (0.726), glutamic acid (0.915), glycine (0.04), histidine (0.248), leucine (0.068), isoleucine (0.082), lysine (0.092), methionine (0.087 (0.087). These results revealed that the effect of gamma rays increased quantitative features, protein, and amino acids, providing a significant basis for genetic variability investigations and its capabilities to develop a new variety of blackgram.