Mutation Breeding in Paprika (Capsicum annuum L.)

Induced mutagenesis was attempted in two paprika cultivars viz., KtPl-19 and Bydagi Kaddi at Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, India with gamma rays, EMS and their combinations were attempted. The mutagens employed for sensitivity studies were gamma rays (5 kR to 40kR) and EMS (0.05% to 0.5%). The LD50 values for the mutagens were initially worked by probit analysis. In M1 generation, a general decrease in mean values for most of the traits was noticed at higher doses of mutagens in both the cultivars with a few exceptions. In M2 generation, higher frequency of chlorophyll mutants was observed with EMS than in gamma ray and combination treatments. Occurrence of chlorina type was found. The gamma rays caused more viable mutations affecting plant stature, leaf modification, duration, fruit type and colour change followed by combination and EMS treatments. Moderate and low concentrations of mutagent treatments expressed tall and erect stature, dwarf stature, big and broad leaf, crinkled long leaf, upright and more number of fruits with varied fruit colour mutants like dark green, light green, dark red and orange in both the cultivars.