Changes in crude fiber in mutants of Cluster bean {Cyamopsis tetragonoloba L. (Taub.) induced by chemical and physical mutagens.

                  In the present study two varieties of Cluster bean, namely, Golden Early – 36 (GE-36) and Harit Rani (HR) were used to induce genetic variability. For present study physical mutagen like Gamma rays (5kR, 10kR and 15kR) and two chemical mutagens, namely, ethyl methanesulphonate (EMS) of different concentrations such as 0.05%, 0.10% and 0.15% and sodium azide (SA) of concentrations such as 0.01%, 0.02% and 0.03% were tried. Seeds from each treatment were sown in field following randomized block design (RBD) with three replications along with control as the M1 generation. Further two consequent generations were taken, M2 and M3 generations respectively. Different mutants were screened from both the varieties and they were further biochemically estimated. Crude fiber was estimated by Maynard (1970) method in all the eight mutants of two varieties. In variety GE-36, the highest value (61.31%) for crude fiber content was observed in large leaf, and the lowest value (58.00 %) for crude fiber content could be seen in the high yielding mutant. In variety HR, the highest value (70.20%) for the same parameter could be noted in long pod mutant and the lowest value (52.31%) has been observed in the dwarf mutant, which shows gradual difference in the content of fiber in both the control varieties ie in GE.36 it is 59.21% and in Harit Rani is 58.31%. Harit Rani mutant showed most promising result in increase in crude fiber content.  It can be concluded that mutation breeding is one of important tool for enriching the biochemical properties.