Gamma Rays and Sodium Azide Induced Genetic Variability in High-Yielding and Biofortified Mutant Lines in Cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.]

• DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.911049
• Publication Date: 2022-06-14T09:13:54Z
• Authors: Aamir Raina; Rafiul Amin Laskar; Mohammad Rafiq Wani; Basit Latief Jan; Sajad Ali; Samiullah Khan
• Keywords: Growing season

With the twin pressures of high population growth and extreme weather events, developing countries are worst hit in meeting food demands their people, with millions unable to access adequate nutritionally balanced food. Crop production must be increased by 70% keep up a rapidly growing population, which is expected rise 9.6 billion 2050. Legumes ideal crops increase agricultural productivity achieve sustainable development goals. Cowpea, warm-season grain legume, often categorized as neglected crop immense scope for genetic improvement through proper breeding strategies. A multi-year field experiment induced mutagenesis was conducted seed yield variability agro-economic traits two cowpea varieties treated different doses gamma (γ) rays sodium azide (SA). The study also aimed optimize γ SA employed individually combinations. Quantitative trait analysis revealed maximum from M2 M3 generation. Among 10 quantitative studied, seeds per pod weight positively correlated major direct impact on yield. An extensive phenotypic selection cycle M2-M4 generations resulted isolating new high-yielding nutrient-dense mutant lines. Such biofortified lines enhanced could serve donor elite genes represent valuable resource improving low-yielding legumes.