Effect of gamma rays on flowering and vase life of gladiolus (Gladiolus grandiflorus L.)

Abstract

The present investigation was conducted during the Rabi season of 2016 to study the effect of gamma rays on flowering and vase attributes associated with mutation and purification of novel types in gladiolus. The corms were treated with gamma rays (Source 60Co) at the dose of 15, 30, 45 and 60 Gy and were sown in the field along with control (un-irradiated corms). Low doses of gamma irradiation resulted in hormesis and induced encouraging vase life and novelties in flowering, while the higher doses induced higher degree of abnormalities which led to mortality and blindness. Six variants were also obtained exhibiting variation in spike length (cv. Candyman treated with 15 Gy), spike duoblness (cv. Candyman treated with 45 Gy), change in floret colour (cv. American Beauty and cv. Her Majesty treated with 30, 45, 60 Gy, respectively)