Development of the first kabuli type chickpea mutant variety in Bangladesh.

Abstract Chickpea has a high yield potential, nutritional importance and diversity of use. A mutation breeding programme was undertaken at Bangladesh Institute of Nuclear Agriculture (BINA) with a view to developing early-maturing, large-seeded and high-yielding varieties of chickpea. Seeds of the popular chickpea variety 'Desi Binasola-2' were treated with different doses of gamma-rays (200, 300 and 400 Gy). The treated seeds were grown in batches according to dose for raising the M1 generation. M2 seeds were collected from individual M1 plants and subsequently grown in plant-progeny rows in the M2 generation and selections were made from the M2 families. Only 85 plants were selected from the M2 population and these were grown in the M3 generation. The mutant 'CPM-kabuli' and 28 other mutants were selected from M3 and were grown in the M4 generation. Only five mutants, including 'CPM-kabuli', were selected from M4 and were grown in M5. The selected mutant 'CPM-kabuli' along with check varieties were put into preliminary yield trials. Finally, the mutant lines were evaluated, with respect to two check varieties, in advanced, zonal-yield, on-farm and on-station trials in successive generations. All the selected mutant lines were grown at different locations in Bangladesh to observe the yield and other characteristics. The performance of the mutants was evaluated under two management practices: research management and farmers' management. Contrary to its parent, 'CPM-kabuli' was found to be tolerant to root rot and Botrytis grey mould, and also showed greater tolerance to pod borer insect-pest infestation than other mutants and check varieties. The main improved attributes are a cream seed coat colour, which reflects kabuli type, larger seed size and higher seed yield. The mutant 'CPM-kabuli' matures in the range of 115-125 days and is high yielding (1.7 t/ha). Considering all these, the bold Kabuli type chickpea mutant 'CPM-kabuli' was registered as the variety 'Binasola-9' for commercial cultivation during 2017 and is suitable for farmers in drought-prone areas in Bangladesh.