Induced Mutagenesis in Chrysanthemum

Abstract

Floriculture is now a high-ranking industry in many countries and enriched with scientific knowledge and availability of novel plant materials. New varieties are always in demand in floriculture. Maximum work has been done worldwide on chrysanthemum, a most interesting plant in floriculture trade. The scope of creation of new and novel forms is never-ending in chrysanthemum due to its highly heterozygous genetic makeup. Voluminous work has been carried out on C. morifolium Ramat. for its further improvement using a wide range of physical and chemical mutagens. Mutation studies have enriched literature on many important aspects like sensitivity to mutagens, LD50 dose, propagules, treatment procedure, mutation event, chimera and its management, in vitro mutation, and desired mutation. All colors were mutable, and more than one color mutation developed in many cultivars. Chrysanthemum developed a number of fascinated mutants like altered flower shape, new appendage like structure on floret, and striped and tubular florets. Mutation developed variability in late-blooming varieties of commercial importance. One can see all types of mutation work starting from classical to modern on this crop and can get a clear picture of technological advancement and its successful application for the development of new varieties. The chapter provides a factual evaluation report on many interesting current topics related to induced mutagenesis work. Chrysanthemum is the only ornamental crop which is considered as a model crop, and one can get all required essential knowledge to design large-scale mutation work on any ornamental crop. Mutation technology package is now enriched with classical and modern techniques for successful development of new and novel varieties.