Hindustan Fertilizer Corporation Limited, Calcutta
Tubers of fourteen leading varieties of dahlia were irradiated with gamma rays with doses from 1–8 krad. The results indicated that with the increase in doses from 2 krad there was decrease in growth of tubers. While a sharp decrease was observed at 4 krad, 6 and 8 krad doses were found to be lethal. Although LD-50 was found between 3–4 krad, the optimum dose for the induction of mutation was found from 2–3 krad. Mutation frequency varied with dose as well as variety and the maximum number of mutants were found at 2 krad dose.
