Archives

Coriander is one of the major seed spice grown for leaf and seed purpose. The present investigation
was undertaken with a view to estimate the nature and extent of genetic variability induced by three
doses of gamma irradiation, three doses of EMS and combination of gamma rays with EMS in
Coriander variety Swathi. Separately harvested M1 plants were used to raise M2 generation.
Observations on twelve quantitative traits were recorded on five randomly selected normal looking
plants in each family of a treatment. Mean, range and coefficient of variation for these traits were
estimated. Results of the experiment indicated (i) variation in behaviour of means, (ii) widening of
ranges and (iii) increase in coefficient of variation (CV) for all characters in mutagenic treated
populations as compared to their controls. The magnitude of coefficient of variation was different
for different treatments and characters in the variety. Of the twelve characters studied, induced
variability was higher for number of primary and secondary branches, leaf yield, number of leaves,
number of umbels and yield per plant suggesting scope of improvement through selection in these
characters.
Keywords: Coriander, coefficient of variation, gamma rays, EMS