Mutagenic Efficiency of Lower Doses of Gamma rays in Black Cumin (Nigella sativa L.)

Abstract

The seeds of Nigella sativa were treated with 50, 100, 150, 200, 250, 300 Gy doses of gamma rays. A hexapetalous mutant was observed at 100 Gy dose in M₁ generation. It was found to have increased seed weight and seed number as compared to the control plants. The chromosomal abnormalities at 100 Gy dose were also at the optimum level (17.10%). Therefore, this dose can be suggested to be beneficial for mutagenesis in plants.