Development of Novel Blackgram (<i>Vigna mungo</i> (L.) Hepper) Mutants and Deciphering Genotype × Environment Interaction for Yield-Related Traits of Mutants

oleh: Manickam Dhasarathan, Seshadri Geetha, Adhimoolam Karthikeyan, Datchinamoorthy Sassikumar, Narayanapillai Meenakshiganesan

Format: Article
Diterbitkan: MDPI AG 2021-06-01

Deskripsi

Blackgram (<i>Vigna mungo</i> (L.) Hepper) yields are noticeably poor due to a shortage of improved varieties and an aggravated narrow genetic base. An attempt was made to isolate novel blackgram mutants by selecting for yield-related traits derived through gamma irradiation and testing the mutant genotype’s stability across the different environments. The irradiated blackgram populations M<sub>1</sub>-M<sub>5</sub> were established in the background of cultivars ADT 3, Co 6, and TU 17-9. Desirable mutants were selected from M<sub>3</sub> to M<sub>5</sub> generations. It was observed in M<sub>2</sub> and M<sub>3</sub> that gamma rays showed higher mutagenic efficacy and generated good inherited variance for the yield-related traits. M<sub>4</sub> established three divergent groups in each blackgram cultivar revealed by clustering analysis. The number of pods per plant, number of clusters per plant, and number of pods per cluster showed a strong direct association with single plant yield and could be considered as selection traits. G × E interactions were higher than the variation due to genotype for single plant yield. Limited environmental interaction was observed for the genotypes G24, G16, G36, G30, and G17, as revealed by AMMI, and the genotypes G18 and G29, as revealed by GGE. GGE biplot revealed the environment-specific genotypes G13 for E<sub>1</sub> (Aduthurai), G7 for E<sub>2</sub> (Kattuthottam), and G34 for E<sub>3</sub> (Vamban) and also portrayed the highly discriminating (E<sub>3</sub>) and representative (E<sub>2</sub>) environments. Selected novel blackgram genotypes from this research are useful genetic stocks for genetic improvement and breeding.