INDUCED GENETIC VARIABILITY FOR PLANT HEIGHT AND TILLER NUMBER IN PENNISETUM AMERICANUM

Abstract

bstract M2 Populations of four varieties (Awn-Selected, ex-Bomu Japan Bajra and B-18) of pearl millet, Pennisetum americanum, derived from different treatments (0,05,10,15,20,25,30, and 35 kR) of gamma rays were assessed for induced genetic variability pertaining to plant height and tiller number. Significant increases in plant height were observed in the M2 populations of variety Awn-Selected at 10 KR (P=.05), 20 kR (P=.05) and 25 kR(P=.05). In the M? population of variety Japan Bajra significant increase in plant height were noted at 15 kR (P=.05). M? populations of variety B-18 also showed significant increases in plant height at 10 kR (P=0.05), 15 kR(P=0.05) 20 kR (P=0.01) and 35 kR (P=0.05). Genotypic differences among varieties were highly significant (P=0.01) for tiller number. Significant decrease in tiller numbers were observed in M? populations of Awn-Selected (30 kR and 35kR), ex-Bornu (35 kR), Japan Bajra (15 kR, 25 kR) and B-18(20 kR and 25 kR). Substantial induced variability was noted in M? populations of all the four varieties. The paper discusses evolutionary significance of plant height and tiller number in pearl millet with reference to mutation breeding. Recurrent Selection is recommended for the genetic improvement of pearl millet.