The biological effects of physical mutagen gamma rays and chemical mutagen Ethyl Methyl Sulphonate (EMS) were analyzed in two varieties of cowpea viz., VBN-1, and C-152. Five different doses of gamma rays (100 Gy, 200 Gy, 300 Gy, 400 Gy and 500 Gy) and five different concentrations of EMS (5 mM, 10 mM, 15 mM, 20 mM and 25 mM) were used for inducing mutations in these two varieties. In M1 generation, the Greater reduction was observed at higher doses of mutagens and the variety C-152 were found to be the more sensitive than VBN-1. The percentage of seed germination was reduced progressively with the increasing doses of mutagens. The observation of Shoot length not follow the linear relationship between increase in dose or concentration of mutagens but the root length follow linear relationship with increase in dose or concentration of mutagens. In case of seedling vigor, it was decreased with the proportion of increase in dose or concentration of mutagens in both the varieties. Finally, concluded to chemical mutagen EMS were most effective than the gamma rays in both the varieties of cowpea.

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