Effect of Mutagens on Quantitative Characters in M₂ and M₃ Generation of Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.)

The mutagenic effects of different dose/concentrations of gamma rays (30, 40 and 50 KR) and ethyl methane sulphonate (1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 mM) on sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) varieties VRI-1 were investigated. The characters studied include; days to first flower, plant height, number of branches per plant, number of capsule per plant, number of seeds per capsule and seed yield per plant in M₂ and M₃ generations. Both negative and positive shifts in mean values were recorded as a result of the physical and chemical treatments. The results indicate the possibilities of evolving higher yield variants through proper selection. Thus, economic traits like number of capsule per plant, number of seeds per capsule and hundred seed weight in M₃ generation offer scope for selection and improvement.