Gamma ray induced new flower colour chimera and its management through tissue culture.

The rooted cuttings of chrysanthemum cultivar 'Lilith' was treated with different doses of gamma rays and planted in beds. The experiment was conducted during September-December 1999 to induce mutations. Different types of morphological abnormalities were recorded in leaf and flower. Chlorophyll variegation in leaves and sectorial flower colour mutations were the most prominent. Chimeric yellow ray florets were cultured in MS medium supplemented with 0.2 mg/,litre NAA, 1.0 mg/litre BAP, sucrose 3% and bactoagar 0.8% at pH 5.6. Regenerated plants were successfully transplanted in field condition where they flowered true to the explant flower colour.