EVALUATION OF SOME LOCAL WHEAT LANDRACES TREATED WITH DIFFERENT DOSES OF GAMMA RAYS IN SAUDI ARABIA

Abstract

Radiation-induced mutagenesis is playing a vital role in the development of improved crop varieties
including wheat worldwide. Gamma irradiations (ᵞ) in mutation breeding are a quicker method in creation of
genetic variability to improve many complex characters in cereals. M3 mutation generation of six wheat
landraces Halba Al-qassim, Missani, Samrra Najran, Samma, Nukrat Zahran and Mabyat Alnamas originated
from 3 different doses of gamma rays (50ᵞ, 100ᵞ and 150ᵞGy) were evaluated along with control under pothouse experiment at Al-Mozahimiyah Research Station, King Abdul Aziz City for Science and Technology,
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The effects of different doses of gamma rays were studied for various yield associated
traits. The results obtained from the present study showed that the varieties significantly and variably differed in
their response for various traits at different gamma rays doses. The traits number of seeds per spike, weight of
seeds per spike and plant height (with and without awns) showed reduction with higher gamma irradiation (150
Gy) doses as compared to low doses. Some of the traits showed improvement due to the induced mutations
could be used in future wheat breeding.