Unveiling the efficiency and effectiveness of two distinct mutagens in early mutant generations of sodic tolerant finger millet [Eleusine coracana (L.) Gaertn] genotype

Finger millet is an essential small millet that has gained attention for its high calcium content and C4 physiology. The self-pollination nature of the crop paves the way for the deliberate advent of candid variability, for which induced mutagenesis would be a suitable breeding method for the quick de- velopment of improved cultivars. In the present indagation, the sodic tolerant variety TRY1 finger millet was subjected to gamma rays and EMS to obtain early maturing genotypes. A preliminary experiment was conducted to investigate the LD50 value biological damages incurred by different mutagen doses, and mutagenic efficiency, effectiveness was estimated. Doses of gam- ma rays were used in the range of 100–500Gy. The EMS concentrations were 10 mM–50 mM. The LD50 values derived were 326.53 Gy of gamma rays and 15.36 mM EMS. Reduction in various quantitative traits became colinear with increased dose, irrespective of the mutagens. In the M2 generation, the chlorophyll mutants such as albino, xantha, chlorina, viridis, albomaculata and xantha viridis were noticed. The highest noted chlorophyll mutant was chlorina (1.906 %–Gamma ray and 2.748 %–EMS), and viridis (0.701 %–gamma ray and 0.451 %–EMS) was with the least frequency. Mutagenic effectiveness was high in lower doses of the mutagen (1.65–250 Gy and 5.20–10 mM). The mutagenic efficiency was higher in lower doses of both the mutagens, con- cerning the mutagenic frequency and lethality (0.116-250 Gy, 0.085-10 mM) injury (0.336–250 Gy, 0.176–15 mM) and sterility (0.205–250 Gy, 0.206–10 mM). Thus, gamma ray and EMS at their minimum dose proved efficient in inducing variations.