Effect of Gamma Rays and Ethyl Methane Sulphonate on Hibiscus sabdariffa

Hibiscus Sabdariffa (Family-Malvaceae) is cultivated for the production of bastfibre fromit's stem& calyx widely used for producing drinks, jams & jellies. Considering it's increased demands for improved varieties, the induced mutational studies have been undertaken. In the present investigation the dry seeds were irradiated at 10 to 60 KR. EMS treatment 0.1 to 0.5% was given to dry & presoaked seeds (6 to 18 hrs.). For combination treatments, irradiated seeds were immersed in 0.2% EMS. Reduction in germination percentage, seedling height & survival percentage was observed with an increase in the dose of gamma rays or concentration of EMS in alone or gamma rays followed by EMS in combination treatments. However as compared to the alone treatments, the combination treatments showed drastic reduction. The details of experimentation are discussed in the present paper.