Induction of mutation for vegetative variability in gladiolus variety Sylvia through gamma rays

An experiment was conducted at the Experimental Farm of Department of Floriculture and Landscaping, Punjab Agricultural University during 2014–16 with the objective to study the morphological variability in gladiolus variety ‘Sylvia’. The experiment was conducted in factorial randomized complete block design (FRCBD) with three replications comprising 50 corms per replication. The corms of gladiolus variety ‘Sylvia’ were treated with ⁶⁰Co gamma rays at 0, 50, 100, 125 and 150 Gy, and were planted in the field. Data were recorded for various vegetative parameters. As the dose was increased from 50 to 150 Gy, reduction in survival rate, days taken to sprouting of corms, plant height, number of leaves, leaf length, width and leaf area, corm and production were also decreased. Maximum survival rate (82.72%), number of leaves (7.00), leaf length (71.50 cm) leaf width (2.18 cm), leaf area (96.63 cm²) was recorded in control. Minimum time taken to sprouting of corms (16.87 days) was recorded at 50 Gy, while the maximum time was taken to sprouting of corms (25.64 days) was observed with 150 Gy. The maximum plant height (93.05 cm), corms and cormels per plant, weight of corms and cormels per plant and corm size were recorded at 50 Gy and reduced at 150 Gy. Leaf abnormalities were recorded in terms of leaf margin and apex bud.