1. Introduction
2. Research Programme
3. Achievements
4. Progress Tables
5. Other Divisions

The objective of mutation breeding programme is to create genetic variability through gamma radiation, marker assisted wide hybridization and other related techniques for evolving commercial varieties having high yield potential, disease resistance, stress tolerance, good plant architecture and other desirable characteristics. The breeding material is also supplied to other research organizations for use in their breeding programmes.   

The research efforts on cotton, rice, wheat, chickpea, mungbean and lentil over the years  have  resulted in  the  development  and  release  of a total 24 crop varieties (Table 1). These include six varieties of cotton, two of rice, four of chickpea, ten of mungbean and two of lentil. Some of the earlier varieties have been replaced with the new improved ones. In addition, a number of promising new mutants of these crops are at various stages of testing. The additional income accruing from these varieties runs into billions of rupees  (Table 2). Work on sesame, castorbean and tomato has been initiated and progressing quite well. 

Crop wise details of the breeding programmes, characteristics of the varieties released and their potential yields are given below. [top]

Development of high yielding, short-statured, early maturing, disease resistant (BLB), long/exrta long grain varieties/germplasm of rice with low phytic acid.

1. Evolution of high yielding, short-statured, short duration, shattering resistant, good quality, disease resistant varieties/germplasm of mungbean and lentil.

2. Evolution of high yielding, good quality, better plant type, disease (blight and wilt) resistant varieties/germplasm of chickpea.

1. Evolution of high yielding, early maturing and disease resistant varieties of sesame.

2. Development of early maturing, short-statured and high yielding varieties of castorbean.

Development of tomato hybrid seed and cultivars.

1. Biochemical and molecular characterization of wheat, rice, chickpea and tomato germplasm genetic diversity.

2. Utilization of biochemical, molecular, physiological markers, and stress proteins for characterization of different crops varieties/genotypes. [top]

Moreover, valuable gene pool possessing specific combining ability traits created through induced mutations has been developed and supplied to the breeders; as a result 7 varieties of cotton have been released by other institutions using the germplasm evolved at NIAB.

The onset of CLCuD in early 1990s resulted in a sharp decline in cotton production inflicting a severe setback to our economy (about 700 billion rupees upto 2001). During the past 11 years, continuous efforts have been made for the evolution of high yielding and CLCuD resistant varieties. Work at NIAB for the development of CLCuD resistant and high yielding varieties/germplasm has resulted in the development of NIAB-999 and NIAB-111 varieties approved during 2003 and 2004 for commercial cultivation. Both the varieties are early maturing, high yielding, heat and CLCuD resistant. NIAB-999 has better ginning out turn along with desirable fiber quality traits. NIAB-111 is superior fiber cotton variety and has better plant type with cluster fruit-bearing, desirable leaf area/leaf orientation facilitating maximum interception of solar radiation by leaves.

Kashmir Basmati, A short duration (3 weeks early in maturity than parent Basmati-370), cold tolerant, aromatic rice variety was released in 1977 for general cultivation in Azad Jammue & Kashmir valley. The eating and cooking quality of the variety is at par with Basmati-370.

A dwarf mutant DM 1-30-34-99 (derivative of  Basmati 370 at 300 Gy dose of gamma rays) has scored 1^st position in the Punjab province in the NURYTs producing 4800 kg ha^-1 paddy and scored 2^nd position on Pakistan basis producing 4264 kg ha^-1 paddy. The rice grain length of this mutant is at par with the Basmati-370.

Two extra long grain recombinants of cross Super Basmati/EL-30-2-1 namely P-198-03 and P-203-03 are high yielding (5810 and 5580 kg ha^-1) as compared to Super Basmati (5413kg ha^-1) and have 5 to 7% increase in grain length over Super Basmati (10.72 mm). Eight long/extra long grain mutants have been selected at 200 and 250 Gy dose of gamma rays in Basmati Pak. The grain length of these mutants ranged from 13.14 mm to 14.24 mm as compared to 10.20 mm in parent (28.82-39.61% more length). The length/width ratio (L/W) in the mutants was also much improved (6.15 to 6.72) as compared with 5.12 in parent.

Phytic acid is a chelating agent which binds the availability of micronutrients i.e, Zinc and Iron to the body which ultimately causes anemia, abortion of babies, osteoporosis and malnutrition in rice eating countries. In this regard three homozygous low phytic acid (Lp) mutants have been identified for further studies/evaluation.[top]

3. Grain Legumes

For incorporation of large seed size in local mungbean, cross between variety 6601 and an exotic large seeded variety VC 1973A followed by irradiation of hybrid seed, led to the development of two large seeded, high yielding and disease resistant recombinants namely NM-51 and NM-54 which thrived both in spring and summer and were released in 1990 as commercial varieties. A high yielding, disease resistant and large seeded recombinant NM-92, was approved as a commercial variety for general cultivation in 1996, followed by high yielding variety NM-98 in 1998. Presently NM-92 and NM-98 are the predominantly grown varieties and cover about 70% area in the Punjab province.

Chickpea

CM-2000, a kabuli type (beige color seed) variety (derivative of ILC 195 at 150 Gy dose of gamma rays) was released for general cultivation in 2000. [top]

CM1918, an Ascochyta blight resistant and high yielding mutant line (derivative of 6153 at 150 Gy dose of gamma rays) developed at NIAB was approved for general cultivation in NWFP as NIFA-88 in 1991.

Chickpea germplasm developed at NIAB has resulted in the release of one desi variety (THAL-2006) for general cultivation in Thal area in 2006 by Arid Zone Research Institute, Bhakkar. This variety was an outcome of hybridization of NIAB mutant line CM82/87 with desi variety C44.

One kabuli line CM94/99 got Ist position in Chickpea National Uniform Yield Trials for three consecutive years (2003-2006). The proposal for the approval of this mutant line has been submitted to Punjab Seed Council.

Lentil

Two varieties of Lentil have been released for commercial cultivation.

NIAB MASOOR 2002, has erect growth habit, earliness in maturity (120 days) and synchronous pod maturity.

NIAB MASOOR 2006, has thick stem, logging resistance, high number of pods, synchronous pod maturity, black spotted seed coat colour, high seed yield and disease resistance. [top]

4. Oil Seed

The research programme on Sesame and Castorbean is in progress since 2003.

Sesame mutants NS 25904 and NS 26004 showed earliness of three weeks than the check variety TS3 and produced high seed yield of 1896 and 2548 kg ha^-1 as compared to 1407 kg ha^-1 of TS3. The mutants NS 100 p 2 and NS 11/2 with similar maturity period (110 days) as of TS3, produced 3422 kg ha^-1 and 2681 kg ha^-1 seed yield, respectively. These mutants showed resistance against phyllody and virus diseases.

Castorbean mutant 7-35 produced 60% higher yield (2610 kg ha^-1) than the parent DS-30 (1585 kg ha^-1). The parent variety DS-30 was very tall (200-250 cm), late in maturity (9-10 months) and low yielding and does not fit in any of our cropping systems. While this mutant which matured in 4-5 months, short stature (120-130 cm) and high yielding can easily fit in castorbean-wheat-castorbean rotation.

5. Tomato

The research programme for improvement of tomato was initiated in 2003. A worth of genetic varibilty for different morphological and other yield related traits like plant growth type, earliness, fruit size, shape, weight and colour, etc. have been identified. Two male sterile lines namely TMS-1 and TMS-2 have been selected and their adaptability was reconfirmed. Their hybridity with elite local lines was found to be feasible. Radio sensitivity studies revealed that radiation doses of 300-400 Gy of gamma rays were effective for mutational alteration of various yield and yield contributing traits.

6. Marker Assisted Breeding

Wheat varieties and land races with high bread making quality have been identified. Microsatellite markers system has been established for studying genetic diversity in wheat and association of markers with agronomic traits. 

       Table 1: Crop varieties developed through mutation breeding at  NIAB

 Table 2: Area covered and additional income of selected crop varities developed by NIAB