EFFECT OF RADIATION AND CHEMICAL MUTAGENESIS ON TURNIP (Brassica rapa L.) I, ROOT WEIGHT & DAYS TO FLOWER

摘要

Gamma rays and Ethyl methane sulphonate (EMS) cause gradual decrease in root weight of turnip (Brassica rapa L.) from lower to higher doses. There is delay in flowering due to radiation, but EMS has negligible effect on it. The plant breeders are always interested in experimental modifications of the germplasm of the crop species. Radiation and chemical mutagenesis have been exploited to create variability. The cross-pollinated crops like turnip have enough genetic variability already in nature. Despite this, recently some attention has been paid to incease variability in this root crop to exploit the mutated genes formutational heterosis and to indnce male sterility for use in hybrid seed production (2,4,7) Present study was undertaken to know theeffect of gamma rays and EMS on root weight and days to flower of turnip.