Induction of variability in chrysanthemum cv. Thai Chen Queen using different doses of gamma rays

An experiment on variability creation in chrysanthemum through gamma rays was carried out at Floriculture Research Farm, ASPEE College of Horticulture and Forestry, Navsari Agricultural University, Navsari in 22020-21. Chrysanthemum cv. Thai Chen Queen was treated with different doses of gamma rays (G0: without irradiation, G₁: 0.25 Krad, G₂: 0.50 Krad, G₃: 0.75 Krad, G₄: 1.00 Krad, G₅: 1.25 Krad and G₆: 1.50 Krad.) to know the best dose for creating variability. Generally, lower doses of gamma rays viz., 0.25 Krad showed positive effect on growth related attributes as compared to higher doses. All the flowering and yield parameters were significantly affected by different doses of gamma rays. Maximum variation in flower colour (Yellow, Orange and Yellow Orange Group as per RHS colour chart) and flower type (Quilled, Compact and Pompon) were observed in G₄ (1.00 Krad) treated population. The treatment G₆ (1.50 Krad gamma rays) performed very poor for all the growth, flowering and yield traits as all the traits were gradually decreased with higher doses of gamma rays, except for number of branches, change in flower colour, flower type, number of flower stems per plant and abnormalities.