Paper Title
The Effect of Different Mutagens (Gamma Rays and EMS) on Agronomical Traits of Niger (Guizotia Abyssinica Cass.)

Abstract
This study was conducted to enhance genetic variability in Niger plant (Guizotiaabyssinica) using Gamma rays and EMS (ethyl methanesulphonate).Seeds of Niger (GuizotiaabyssinicaCass.) cultivar N-71 were exposed to different doses of Gamma rays ranging from 24-28 kR and varying concentrations of ethyl methanesulphonate (EMS)ranging from 0.2- 0.4% and in combination.Morphogenic and agronomic traits in the M1 and M2 generations that analysed included; percentage of seed germination and survival, plant height, number of primary branches, capitulum size, head size, number of ray florets/capitulum, number of disc florets/capitulum, number of capitula/plant, number of seeds/capitulum, seed yield/plant, 1000 seed weight. The results of the present study revealed that the three Gamma irradiation doses used (24KR,26KR and 28kR) showed decreased effect in most of the agronomic and morphological traits evaluated in M1 however combination treatments like 24KR+ 0.2% EMS and 26KR+0.4% EMS showed a significant increase of grain yields and yield components. In general, a significant decrease or no changes in morphological traits were observed for the three irradiation doses in M1 populations but Potential high-yielding mutants were identified in progenies of combined mutagenic treated seeds in M2 Population. Keywords - Niger, Agronomical Traits, Gamma-ray, Ethyl MethaneSulphonate, M1 Generation and M2 Generation.