GAMMA-INDUCED MORPHOLOGICAL VARIATION AND REPRODUCTIVE STABILITY IN COMMON BEAN (PHASEOLUS VULGARIS L.) UNDER THE AGROECOLOGICAL CONDITIONS OF BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA
Keywords:
Phaseolus vulgaris L., gamma irradiation, induced mutagenesis, morphological variation, mutation breeding, reproductive stabilityAbstract
The present study aimed to induce and evaluate gamma-induced morphological variation and reproductive stability in common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) under the agroecological conditions of Bosnia and Herzegovina. A total of 5145 dry seeds of the accession “niska boranija” from the Gene Bank of the Republic of Srpska were exposed to two gamma radiation doses (80 Gy and 200 Gy) at the IAEA laboratories in Seibersdorf. Mutant generations were advanced from M1 to M4 under open-field conditions. Phenotypic evaluation revealed stable morphological variation from the M2 generation onward. Flower colour mutation from white to violet was observed in 7.25% of evaluated M3 plants and remained stable in subsequent generations. Additional heritable changes included alterations in seed coat colour (yellow to greenish) and modifications of plant architecture, particularly the transition from determinate dwarf to climbing growth habit. In M4 generation, 79.66% of mutant lines maintained reproductive capacity, confirming the stability and usability of induced mutations. The 80 Gy treatment proved more effective in generating viable and phenotypically stable mutants, whereas 200 Gy caused stronger growth reduction and lower overall viability. This study demonstrates the successful application of gamma induced mutagenesis in common bean under the agroecological conditions of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The obtained mutant lines represent a valuable genetic resource for future breeding programs targeting yield improvement, drought tolerance and climate resilience.
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