Bharathi Nirujogi, M.R. Dinesh, S.S.V. Raju and Prasanth Naik
Abstract
Papaya is one of the most important fruit crops of India. Several varieties are under cultivation, although couple of varieties are being cultivated in many regions commercially. Due to propagation by seeds mainly open pollinated, there is variability for different characteristics in papaya. Several studies carried out to create variability have resulted in few improved varieties. Mutation is one of the methods used for creating variability in crop plants. Among the several mutagenic agents, chemical mutagens are getting importance due to their effectiveness and ease in usage.An experiment on mutation was carried out using ethyl methane sulphonate (EMS) to create variability for plant height and other characters in the varieties Arka Surya and Arka Prabhath by treating the seeds at different durations (2hrs, 4hrs) and with different concentrations (0.1, 0.2 and 0.3 percent). EMS was used along with KNO3 to increase the efficacy of the mutagen. LD50 was observed at 0.3 per cent EMS. Early germination and maximum germination per cent were observed in control. It was observed that EMS at 0.2 per cent along with KNO3 can induce dwarf stature. In the M0 generation, many morphological abnormalities were observed, which indicated the possibility of large variability in advanced generations.