Abstract
This study has been performed to investigate the efficiency of the chemical mutagen ethyl methanesulphonate (EMS) to induce mutations in Saintpaulia. In vitro leaf sections of Saintpaulia cv. Crystobal were exposed to various EMS treatments at 0%, 0.2%, 0.4%, and 0.6% for 30, 60, 120, and 240 min after which adventitious shoots were recovered from the treated explants. Shoots producing at least six leaves were induced to root and the resulting plantlets were transplanted to soil. A total of 1838 plantlets was grown to flowering stage and 10 mutants were identified. Four of the mutants were variegated leaf chimeras and the remaining six presented variations at the level of flower color and/or fringe. Results in the present study showed the efficiency of EMS to induce in vitro mutation of Saintpaulia and the method can be used in the future to assist breeding in this popular ornamental plant.
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