GENETIC ENHANCMENT OF GROUNDNUT (ARACHIS HYPOGAEA L.)THROUGH INDUCED MUIATION

Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) is a member of family Fabaceae grown for oilseed, food and animal feed. Groundnut contains 51% of monosaturated oil and 30% polyunsaturated and 19% saturated oil. India consumes over 10 million tonnes of edible oil per year. Present study was conducted for genetic enhancement of groundnut thorough induced mutation by gamma rays and EMS. For the purpose oil percentage, saponification, Iodine value and Protein percentage was observed after the different doses of gamma rays and EMS on two varieties of groundnut viz. TAG-24 and AK-159 and it was concluded that 10 kr dose induces good genetic variability in both varieties. Keywords:Groundnut; Gamma rays; EMS; Mutation.