Comparative effects of caffeine and lead nitrate on the bio-physiological and yield associated traits of lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.)

Lentil belonging to the fabaceae family is a proteinaceous cool-season legume consumed across the world. However, lentil is low yielding with a narrow genetic base compared to other grain legumes such as chickpea, faba bean, and cowpea. In the present study, we intended to investigate the effect of two different mutagens viz., caffeine and lead nitrate on the bio-physiological and agronomical traits of lentil. Unlike other mutagens like ethyl methanesulphonate, sodium azide, and hydrazine hydrates very little is known about the mutagenic potency of caffeine and lead nitrate. The results revealed contrasting effects as lower doses of caffeine-induced a substantial increase in mean values of physiological and agronomical traits whereas both lower and higher doses of lead nitrate negatively impacted the agronomical traits of lentil. Among the mutagen doses, 0.1% caffeine was most efficient in inducing a substantial increase in mean values of bio-physiological and quantitative traits. The present study also revealed the successful conduct of induced mutagenesis in lentil and present a protocol that could be followed in future breeding programs aimed at increasing the yielding potential of legumes.