Induced mutations in chrysanthemum through gamma rays

The research was conducted to induce variations in the chrysanthemum variety ‘Mother Teresa’ in 2020-21. The purpose was to generate and detect the desirable variants concerning altered flower colour, formand flower yield from the treated population. The terminal rooted cuttings were irradiated with different γ-raydoses (0, 5, 10, 15, and 20 Gy) using Cobalt 60 (60Co) as the source and evaluated further along with the controlpopulation, i.e. without irradiations. The observations on various morphological and floral parameters wererecorded and compared with the control population (non-irradiated). Marked floral changes about altered flowercolour, shape, form and changes in leaf shape, colour and sizes were observed with higher doses of gammairradiations. Percent flower colour variations were recorded as 4.10% at 10 Gy, 1.56% at 15 Gy and 4.25% at 20Gy dose. The present study, 11 variants were detected with altered flower colour and form with 10 to 20 Gy-raydoses. The study developed an efficient protocol for the induction of mutations using γ-rays in chrysanthemum.