Mutagenesis via Exposure to Gamma-rays in Tuberose(Polianthes Tuberosa)

Tuberose (Polianthes tuberosa) is a plant with low genetic diversity and cannot be used for cross breeding because of its double nature. Therefore, the use of modern breeding techniques such as mutation and gene transfer are usually considered. In this study, in order to create diversity in tuberose, gamma-ray irradiation treatment was used on mature bulbs of tuberose with gamma ray doses of 10, 50, 100, 200 and 400 Gy. Some characteristics of control and treated plants such as survival and sprouting rate, flowering time, leaf number and size, size and weight of the florets, number of petals, internode distance, plant height and stem diameter is measured in this study. The experiment was performed in a template design of completely randomization in a research greenhouse at University of Tehran, Iran. Experimental results showed that at the dose treatment of 10 Gy, all plants sprouted with a time delay, and at doses of 50 and 100 Gy, 57% and 29% of plants were sprouted and grew, respectively. Though, at dosages of 200 and 400 Gy, none of the plants survived. In this experiment, changes in plant morphology were observed according to the different treatments, but no changes were observed in flower color.