Phenotypic variability in M1 populations of sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) with gamma ray irradiated

Abstract

Mutation induction has been used in breeding
programs to produce genetic variability. The objective of the
research was to evaluate the phenotypic variation induced by
gamma radiation in sesame seeds. The experiment was carried
out in the experimental field of the Agricultural Sciences
Faculty in the National University of Asunción, between
October 2013 and February 2014. Seeds used corresponded
to the M1 generation, from Escoba cultivar. Completely
randomized design was used, with three treatments 0,
300 and 400 Gy, respectively, and twenty five repetitions,
randomly selected within the field crop, with eight plants
each one. The variables evaluated were: color, pubescence
and position of leaves, stem color at maturity, pubescence
and type of branching, density of pubescence and dehiscence
of capsules, color and texture seed, morphological traits
used as varietal descriptors. International Sesame descriptor
was used for the characterization of each variable. The data
for all variables were subjected to analysis of variance and
Tukey test at 5 % probability of error. Variables that showed
statistically significant differences for all treatments were:
color, position and leaf pubescence, color at maturity,
pubescence branching type and capsules pubescence. For
dehiscence of capsules, color and texture of the seeds coat
were not observed statistical differences. It was concluded
that for the morphological traits gamma radiation treatments
at doses of 300 and 400 Gy, is effective as a method of
mutation induction and generation of phenotypic variability
in sesame seeds.