Characterization of horse gram mutants for yield, nutrient, and anti-nutrient factors

Aim: This experiment assessed the potential of induced mutagenesis in evolving variability for yield, nutritional and anti-nutritional, factors in horse gram. Methodology: The mutants were grown in three environments consisting of three sowing times and soil types and the data were pooled. D2 analysis was used to group the mutants. Based on the magnitude of variation and character inter-relationship, single plant yield was fixed as a selection criterion to identify promising mutants from clusters. The tagged high yielding mutants were profiled for macronutrients, micronutrients and anti-nutritional factors. Results: The induced mutagenesis evolved significant variability for yield attributing traits. It evolved the maximum variation for the traits number of pods per plant, number of clusters, plant height and single plant yield (CV= 34.80%; 33.90%; 33.80%, 30.44% and 29.60% respectively). A significant coefficient of variation was observed for nutrients (crude protein: 5.13%; crude fibre: 11.67%, crude fat: 13.44%; boron: 11.50%; magnesium: 11.52; phosphorus: 10.86; potassium: 9.53%; calcium: 18.33%; manganese: 14.25%; iron: 16.36%; copper: 12.20%; zinc: 14.50% and molybdenum: 18.41%) anti-nutritional factors (total phenol:17.24%; tannins: 10.88%; phytic acid: 16.14% and oxalic acid: 15.16%). Potential genetic stocks for yield combined with nutritional supremacy were identified for further utilization. Interpretation: Induced mutagenesis evolved potential mutants for yield and nutrients. Alas, a negative relationship between yield and nutrient contents was established. To improve yield in horse gram and alleviate malnutrition, the genotypes with an average single yield potential of 55-65 g shall be prioritized. Key words: Anti-nutritional factors, Horse gram mutants, Nutrients