Journal of Experimental Agriculture International

Lablab purpureus (L.) Synonym Dolichos lablab (L.) Sweet; is a minor and an important multipurpose legume. Despite this it classified as an orphaned crop hence few studies on its improvement have been undertaken. Limited studies have been carried out on use of mutation on dolichos improvement.  Four elite Lablab genotypes coded G1, B1, M5 and W7 were mutagenized with two doses of gamma radiation 300Gy and 400 Gy with objective to study the effect of mutation on various agronomical traits at M2 generation. Data on effect of irradiation on lablab was collected 10 randomly selected plants of on each plot .The traits evaluated were leaf length, leaf width, number of raceme per plant, raceme length, pod length, pod width, plant height, dry seed yield per plant and seed length  and seed width. For these traits mean of mutant plants was significantly different from mean of control plants at    P≤0.05. Mutant accessions of B1, M5 and W7 genotypes exhibited wide mutation spectra after mutagenesis of albino, leafiness, upright single stem, seedless pod, short dwarf pod, variegated leaf, variation in flower colour, variation in growth habit, leaf shape, seed colour. Gamma irradiation doses of 300 Gy and 400 Gy were potent in mutagenesis of the studied dolichos lablab. The agronomically diverse mutants are an important resource for dolichos improvement through breeding and genetic studies. Mutants with variegated leafs and flower colour can be used in the landscaping while those different seed colour could be used in the improvement of sensory and cooking qualities of other native dolichos lablab beans.