Gamma ray induced foliage variegation and anatomical aberrations in Chrysanthemum (Dendranthema grandiflora T.) cv. Maghi

Abstract

Rooted cuttings of (Guldaudi) Chrysanthemum cv. Maghi, were subjected to radiation 0, 100, 150, 200, 250, 300, 350, 400 and 450 Grays by using physical mutagen with the objective of developing novel variegated leaf mutants as well as variation in flower color etc. The present experiment was laid out in RBD with nine treatment three replication. The quantitative and qualitative characters studied and revealed variegation in foliage and also in colour of flowers in plants grayed with 100 and 150 Gy irradiation. Maximum number of variegated plants (6), number of branches (31), number of flowers per plant (285) diameter of flower (3.7 cm.) and number of ray florets/flower (443) were observed with 100 Gy. A significant adverse effect of irradiation was observed with increasing doses of gamma rays, in chimeric generation. Delayed flowering were also observed with higher doses of irradiation. Size of stomata viz., length of Guard cell (30 micron), width of Guard cell (17 micron), length of pore (26 micron) and width of pore (7 micron) was recorded for the lower radiation doses (100 and 150 Gy). Higher radiation doses of 300 to 450 Gy were ineffective since they adversely affected the plant performance in terms of its survival, vegetative as well as flower growth. Chimeric plants were produced which could be multiplied for obtaining mutants in pure form.