In-vitro induced mutations in carnation using NMU (chemical mutagen)

Nodal explants of carnation cv. Espana were subjected to in-vitro mutagenesis using nitroso methyl urea(NMU) through media supplementation (0.025, 0.050, 0.075 and 0.100%) and explant agitation (0.25, 0.50, 0.75 and 1.00%). in-vitro raised plantlets were planted ex-vitro after acclimatization. It was observed that NMU had adverse effect on biological activities of the plant resulting in decrease in most of the vegetative and floral characters like number of shoots/plant, length of flowering shoots, plant height, flower size and number of flowers/plant. NMU showed stimulatory effect at 0.025% (media supplementation) in number of petals/flower which was also reduced at higher doses. NMU induced chlorophyll mutations at the rate of 1.49, 3.57, 4.08 and 7.89% at 0.025 0.050, 0.075 and 0.100% concentrations of NMU, respectively, under media supplementation and 6.97 and 8.33% at the concentrations of 0.25 and 0.50, respectively, in case of explant agitation. Mutations in flower colour were also induced at the NMU concentrations of 0.050 and 0.075% (media supplementation) and 0.25% (explant agitation) at 1.78, 2.04 and 2.32%, respectively, producing red flowers with white spots compared to pure red in original cultivar.