GAMMA IRRADIATION MUTATION IN M1 COWPEA

The present work was carried out to study the effect of gamma radiation on M1 generation cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp). For the present study, dry seeds of M1 generation cowpea seeds were irradiated with gamma doses of 400 Gy, 450 Gy, 500 Gy and 600 Gy. The following quantitative characters were studied: number of days to germination, percentage germination, pinnate leaf length and width, plant height, chlorophyll content, number of leaves, number of branches, number of days to flowering, number of flowers, number of pods, pod length, number of seed, number of seed abortions, quercetin and rutin concentration. Preliminary phytochemical and cytological studies were also carried out. Cytological studies were carried out on pollen viability, number of stomatal cells and epidermal cells. Preliminary phytochemical studies were studied for the presence and absence of alkaloids, carbohydrates, flavonoids, saponins, tannins and glycosides. Gamma radiation dose of 400 Gy increased percentage germination.