Radiation Research with Pigeonpeas (Cajanus cajan): Results on X3 and X4 Generations

Abstract

A number of agronomically desirable mutant strains of pigeonpeas were isolated from seed of Kaki variety irradiated with γ rays and neutrons. Some were earlier than the parent variety while others were later in date of flowering during the X3 and X4 generations tests. Many of the mutant lines also yielded better than the parent variety and late commercial variety Saragateado. The results from the X3 and X4 generations indicate that 1, Irradiation resulted in mutations which conditioned a yield increase in selected pigeonpea lines; 2, mutation effect in yield was large enough to be detected with the standard testing procedures; and 3, it is possible to fix some of the genetic variability in the irradiated families by repeated single plant selections, as in the case of flowering date.