Gamma rays impact on vegetative growth parameters in M1 generation of Swertia chirayita (Roxb. Ex Fleming) H. Karst

Abstract

Swertia chirayita is a critically endangered, highly valuable herb of temperate Himalayas which belongs to family Gentianaceae and occurs at an altitude of 1200-3000 m in India. The present studies focused on the impact of the gamma doses tested (2-30 kr at a dose interval of 2kr) on the growth performance of main shoot and beyond upto complete senescence. Some of the gamma ray doses had a promotory effect on plant height, no. of leaves per plant, leaf length, leaf width and no. of costae per lamina in comparison to control. Most of the M1 plants died before reaching reproductive phase.Of the M1 plants that did produce flowers (G1, G3, G6, G7, G9, G11 and G13), only G7 and G11 produced viable seeds (48-72% germination). Light brown seed (48.33% germination) were observed in one plant impacted by 14 kr dose in addition to normal dark brown seed (70 to 71.67% germination).