MUTATION INDUCTION IN CHRYSANTHEMUM (Dendranthema grandiflora) USING GAMMA RADIATION AND ETHYL METHANESULFONATE

Abstract

A study was performed focused on modifying characteristics of foliage pigmentation, flower and architecture of chrysanthemum plants (Dendrathema grandiflora), through physical and chemical mutagenic agents, with the aim of generating new varieties for the market. Mutants with these types of changes were detected in the first stages of propagation, in plants regenerated from foliar explants and in vitro seedlings that were exposed to gamma radiation (30 Gy) and EMS (0.2 % v/v for 30 min). Three mutants were selected with genotypes of slow development, dwarfs and dotted leaves. The respective mutation rates were 0.0470, 0.0033 and 0.0007. The expression of the different genotypes was observed in 95 % of the plants obtained in three vegetative generations from axillary meristems, but not in the plants regenerated from foliar explants