Enhancement of regeneration in moth bean [Vigna aconitifolia (Jacq) Marechal] through gamma irradiation

An experiment was carried out to assess effect of gamma irradiation on morphogenetic potential of callus derived from primary leaves of seedlings of moth bean seeds. Germination percentage was decreased as the dose of gamma irradiation increased from 200 to 800 Gy. Regeneration potential of callus derived from primary leaves of the treated seeds was increased with lower doses of gamma irradiations (200 Gy and 400 Gy). Exposure to 400 Gy resulted in marked increase in number of shoot bud primordial and number of shoots per explant. Further, the plantlets regenerated from such explants produced more number of flowers under in vitro conditions. Genotype Jadia was found highly responsive to in vitro mutagenesis.