Mutagenic response of rhodes grass (Chloris gayana Kunth.) to gamma rays. II. Studies on second (M2) generation parameters

The effect of gamma rays on parameters such as chlorophyll mutation frequency and spectrum, mutagenic effectiveness and efficiency and viable mutation frequency and spectrum were studied in M2 generation of Rhodes grass employing nine doses of gamma rays. The chlorophyll mutation frequency increased in a linear fashion at low and medium doses and was erratic at higher doses. The chlorophyll mutant spectrum ineluded albina, xantha, chlorina, viridis, tigrina, striata, albo-xantha and albo-viridis. The frequency of these mutants varied with treatments. A dose rate of 60 krad was found to be effective as well as efficient both on M1 and M2 plant basis in inducing chlorophyll mutations. The highest frequency of viable mutations was found in 50 krad treatment. Viable mutants found were: nodal variant, peduncle variant, lax ears, coxcomb ears, earhead proliferation, level of fingers, incurved fingers, gappy ears, apical sterility, partial sterility and high sterility.