Studies were undertaken to induce genetic variability in Kabuli chickpea genotypes viz. Il.C's 482, 3279 and 6104 to screen the Mz segregating material and selected morphological mutants in MJ and M4 generation for identification of mutant(s) having increased level of resistance to Ascochyta blight and cold tolerance. The results of screening of Mz segregating material indicated that mutagenic treatments were effective in inducing variability for Ascochyta blight resistance and cold tolerance. An ILC 482 mutant proved one of two sources of cold tolerance in the world chickpea germ plasm screened at ICARDA during 1989-90. This is the first ever report of induction of cold tolerance in chickpea through induced mutations. The mutant will be of great value as a source of cold tolerance and for studying mechanisms of cold tolerance.
