Abstract
Physical mutagenesis is an effective mutational breeding method for improving various growth and floral characteristics of ornamental plants. The experiment was undertaken with an objective to investigate the effect of various dosages of gamma irradiation on survivability, growth and floral characteristics of Jasminum officinale plants raised by rooted cuttings. The 60CO Gamma irradiation source at Horticultural Crop Research and Developmental Institute, Gannoruwa was used to expose rooted plants to different dosages such as 0Gy, 17Gy, 21Gy, 25Gy, 29Gy and 33Gy. A Complete Randomized Design with four replicates having 10 plants for each replicate was practiced. The results revealed that gamma irradiation dosage from 25Gy to 33Gy significantly decreased the survivability of J. officinale plants (P<0.05). LD50 of gamma radiation on J. officinale was occurred around 33Gy at maturity stage. Plant height and shoot length were significantly reduced by gamma irradiation dosages of 17Gy to 33Gy compared to the control and significant reduction of shoot number was observed at 33Gy. Gamma irradiation with 17Gy dosage, it showed a significant reduction in petal width (0.82 cm) of flowers. None of the other dosages were able to develop a change in the floral characteristics of J. officinale. The study showed that 33Gy gamma irradiated plant, it is having significant reduction of plant height, number of shoots and shoot length hence it could be domesticated as a dwarf and potted plant.
Highlights
Jasminum officinale (Samanpichcha) is one of the most demanding indigenous flower species in Sri Lanka which is belonging to the family Oleaceae
It can be concluded that the higher dosages of gamma irradiations significantly decrease the survivability of Jasminum officinale rooted cuttings
Vegetative growth on plant height and shoot length of J. officinale are significantly reduced with the gamma irradiation dosages of 17Gy, 25Gy, 29Gy, 33Gy and significant reduction of number of shoots was occurred at 33Gy
Summary
Jasminum officinale (Samanpichcha) is one of the most demanding indigenous flower species in Sri Lanka which is belonging to the family Oleaceae. The genus consists with around 200 species. This plant is used for perfume industry as a flavoring agent and various cosmetics and medicinal purposes. When considering this plant as a floriculture crop, it has a limited variation of plant and flower characteristics as this plant is a vegetatively propagated plant. Creating a variation through induced mutagenesis is more important to promote this plant as a home gardening plant around Sri LankaGenerally, physical and chemical mutagen were used to produce new varieties with better characteristics of their genetic variation (Kaushik., et al, 2015). The dose of applying the mutagen is an important factor. It was noticed that the greater biological damage observed at higher concentration of mutagens (Rajib and Jagatpati, 2011)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
