Gamma radiation-induced mutant lines of Hungarian vetch ( <i>Vicia pannonica</i> Crantz.): evaluation of grain and biological yield

A statistically significant variation (<i>p</i> < .01) was observed among the genotypes in terms of both biological yield and grain yield, indicating considerable potential for genetic improvement. Upon analysis, the mutant line OG802 exhibited the highest biological yield (4.23 t ha^-1), while the highest grain yield (0.98 t ha^-1) was recorded in the OG602 line. The OG802 line demonstrated a significant increase in biological yield compared to the control cultivars, without any compromise in grain yield. Additionally, OG802 showed greater adaptability to semiarid conditions than the control cultivars. These results suggest that gamma irradiation-induced mutations can enhance biomass productivity and stress resilience without negatively impacting seed production. Such improvements may be attributed to altered physiological or morphological traits, including improved water-use efficiency or biomass allocation. In conclusion, the OG802 mutant line holds strong potential for the cultivation of Hungarian vetch in semiarid environments, owing to its superior biological yield and enhanced adaptability to harsh climatic conditions. These findings underscore the effectiveness of gamma radiation-induced mutation breeding as a promising approach for developing new, climate-resilient genotypes in future breeding programs.