Electron beam irradiation revealed genetic differences in radio-sensitivity and generated mutants in groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.)

Electron beam accelerators are being used for many industrial applications including food and agriculture. A 10 MeV linear accelerator facility was standardized for low dose application 0.1-1 kGy) in pulse mode using unscanned scattered beam for irradiation of groundnut seeds for mutation breeding. Using this facility, 50% growth reduction (GR50) dose was standardized in five groundnut genotypes. There were significant differences for radio-sensitivity among these genotypes. Seed mutagenesis of two groundnut genotypes, TG 26 and TG 68 with electron beam has generated one large seeded and four high yielding mutants in preliminary field trials.