Induction of Mutation in Chrysanthemum (Dandranthema grandiflora L.) cv. Yellow Stone through Gamma Radiations and Ethyl Methyl Sulphonate

This study investigates the effects of gamma rays and ethyl methyl sulphonate (EMS) on chrysanthemum variety yellow stone which is renowned for resistance to disease to enhance its growth and floral characteristics. Four EMS concentrations (0.10, 0.15, 0.20, and 0.25%) and four gamma-ray doses (10, 20, 30, and 40 Gray) were applied to rooted cuttings in order to take advantage of variability and assess heritable impacts on a number of characteristics, including survival rate, vegetative growth, and blooming. Reduction in survival rate and various morphological parameters was observed with chemical mutagens and higher doses of gamma rays. Gamma rays (10 Gy) significantly improved most of the vegetative and flowering parameters by recording maximum plant height, leaf length, leaf width, number of branches per plant, stem thickness, diameter of flower head, flower weight, pedicel length, number of flowers per plant, flower yield per plant, minimum days taken to appearance of first flower bud and opening of first flower bud as compared to control. More morphological variations in vegetative and floral characters were observed with EMS treatments exhibiting three flower mutants at 0.10% EMS. One leaf mutant was produced from gamma rays applied at 30 Gy. LD₅₀ dose for gamma rays and EMS was 25 Gy and 0.112 per cent, respectively.