Induced mutagenesis in glory lily (Gloriosa superba L.) for economic variability

Gloriosa superba was subjected to induced mutagenesis to create variability for short statured plants and higher seed yield at Department of Medicinal and Aromatic Crops, TNAU, Coimbatore. The sprouted tubers (Andhra Wild) were treated with chemical mutagens (EMS-1, 2, 3% and DES-1, 1.25%, 1.5%) to raise VM₁ and VM₂ generations. The population was screened and mutant lines with economic variability were isolated. Glory lily was highly responsive to mutagenic treatments in exhibiting reduced plant height, branching height, earliness and significant improvement in seed production. In VM₂ generation, DES 1.5% was effective in producing short statured plants (73.50 cm) and EMS 2% enhanced the dry seed yield per plant (77.75g).