Author(s):

S Padmapriya and K Rajamani

Abstract: Induced mutagenesis is an ingenious tool to improve the genetic fidelity of a crop through creation of variability especially in vegetatively propagated crops like glory lily. The current research was aimed to determine the lethal dose (LD₅₀) and the effect of physical mutagen (gamma rays) and chemical mutagens (Ethyl Methane Sulphonate (EMS)) and (Diethyl Sulphate (DES)) on germination percentage, plant height, number of leaves and tuber weight derived from mutagen treated seeds of Gloriosa superba cv. Andhra wild to create variability for desirable traits. Self-pollinated seeds were exposed to different doses of gamma rays using ⁶⁰Co gamma chamber at Sugarcane Breeding Institute, Coimbatore. Another set of pre-soaked seeds were treated with freshly prepared solution of EMS and DES. The treated seeds including control were sown in the nursery beds under shade net in completely randomized design (CRD) with 5 replications. The results revealed a gradual and significant reduction in germination percentage, plant height, number of leaves and individual tuber weight with increase in dosage of mutagens which had profound effect on the above variables due to seed injury resulting in poor growth of the seedlings. Based on the probit curve, LD50 dose for gamma rays, EMS and DES were 20.96 kR, 1.91% and 1.13% respectively. Higher doses of physical and chemical mutagens had negative effect on the morphological characteristics of the seedlings derived from mutagen treated seeds.

Pages: 627-631  |  840 Views  340 Downloads

Download (603KB)