Mutation breeding in turmeric

Investigations were carried out in turmeric(Curcuma longa.L)atTamilNadu Agricultural University, TamilNadu, India using three genotypes namely Salem local(CL144), Alleppy finger turmeric (CL146) and PTS43(CL147) The genotypes were treated with seven doses of gamma rays (1.0,1.5,2.0,2.5,3.0,3.5 and 4.0 kR) along with a control.The study revealed that the lower doses of gamma rays(2.0 and 2.5kR)were effective in creating variability for most of the characters.Among the genotypes used CL144 showed good response to gamma irradiation.