Variability among advanced gamma‐irradiation induced large‐seeded mutant breeding lines in the ‘Georgia Browne’ peanut cultivar

TLDR: The results obtained demonstrate the beneficial use of mutation breeding for inducing and developing variable and desirable advanced mutant breeding lines within peanut cultivars.

Abstract: The objective of this study was to compare the variability among advanced large-seeded 'Georgia Browne' mutant breeding lines induced by gamma-irradiation. Seeds of the small-seeded, high-yielding, disease-resistant peanut cultivar 'Georgia Browne' were exposed to a 200 Gy dose of gamma-radiation. Several advanced (M(6:7)-M(6:9)) 'Georgia Browne' mutant breeding lines were developed and evaluated at the University of Georgia, Coastal Plain Experiment Station over three consecutive years 1997-99 for disease incidence, pod yield, total sound mature kernels (TSMK) grade, pod weight, seed weight and seed size distribution. Field performance tests showed significant differences among the advanced large-seeded mutant breeding lines compared with 'Georgia Browne' for each of these variables. The results obtained demonstrate the beneficial use of mutation breeding for inducing and developing variable and desirable advanced mutant breeding lines within peanut cultivars.