Induced mutations in chrysanthemum through gamma rays

Abstract

The research was conducted to induce variations in the chrysanthemum variety ‘Mother Teresa’ in 2020-21. The purpose was to generate and detect the desirable variants concerning altered flower colour, form and flower yield from the treated population. The terminal rooted cuttings were irradiated with different γ-ray doses (0, 5, 10, 15, and 20 Gy) using Cobalt 60 (60Co) as the source and evaluated further along with the control population, i.e. without irradiations. The observations on various morphological and floral parameters were recorded and compared with the control population (non-irradiated). Marked floral changes about altered flower colour, shape, form and changes in leaf shape, colour and sizes were observed with higher doses of gamma irradiations. Percent flower colour variations were recorded as 4.10% at 10 Gy, 1.56% at 15 Gy and 4.25% at 20 Gy dose. The present study, 11 variants were detected with altered flower colour and form with 10 to 20 Gy-ray doses. The study developed an efficient protocol for the induction of mutations using γ-rays in chrysanthemum.