Studies on Mutagenic Effectiveness and Efficiency of Gamma Rays and Ethyl Methane Sulphonate in Jasmine

Background/Aim: The present investigation was undertaken to study the mutagenic effectiveness and efficiency in M1V1 generation and to study effect of gamma rays on spectrum of morphological mutation in Jasminum grandiflorum Linn. cv. White Pitchi.

Methods: Terminal cuttings were treated with four doses of gamma rays viz., 10, 15, 20 and 25 Gy and four doses of EMS viz., 25, 30, 35 and 40 mM separately. Both mutagens created a high frequency as well as a wide spectrum of mutation.

Results: Totally five types of chlorophyll mutants viz., xantha, viridis, yellow viridis, variegata and tigrina were observed. The mutagenic effectiveness and efficiency were calculated based on biological damage as well as chlorophyll mutation frequency on M1 plants. The mutagenic treatments were effective in inducing various types of morphological macro mutants, with few of them showing significant changes in plant height, flowering parameters and flower yield. The lower mutagen doses were associated with higher mutagenic effectiveness and efficiency.

Conclusion: The present study indicated that the physical mutagen gamma rays were more effective and efficient in causing mutations as compared to the chemical mutagen EMS.