Induction of mutagenesis on Chrysanthemums

Indução de mutagênese em crisântemo

Abstract

Crop genetic diversity has a significant role in improving new plants through breeding. The chrysanthemum contains the most mutant varieties, making mutation breeding one of the most widely utilized breeding procedures for ornamental plants. The goal of this research is to use gamma irradiation to induce genetic variation and mutation breeding to improve chrysanthemum features. In vitro bud explants of the white ‘Bacardi’ type were treated with gamma rays at 20 Gy on this scope. The explants were subcultured until M₁V₄ growing period occurred, and observations were made during blooming on this time. Variable flower head widths, distinction on plant heights and widths, numerous flower numbers, color and size variations of ray florets were among the mutagenic changes observed in plants and flowers. Ray florets varied in length, width, number of rows, and color. The mutation frequency of the population was estimated 1.1% and yellow-colored florets were developed whereas the control group remained white. The dendrogram was grouped into five groups with 1, 28, 31, and 41 mutants in each based on the plant height and width, plant stem height and width, number of shoots and flowers per plant, flower head width, ray florets’ number- height- color, number of leaves, leaf length and width, and weight of flowering stems. The yellow-colored mutants were located in the first, second, and fourth groups. The advantageous mutations could result in improving new varieties. Gamma radiation is an effective mutagen for creating new chrysanthemum types when applied to in vitro bud explants.

Keywords:
Chrysanthemum; in vitro mutant; mutation breeding; ornamental plants; variation