Induced mutation by gamma rays on performance of MV3 Callistephus chinensis at lowland

Abstract

Callistephus chinensis has beautiful flower with high sale price and usually grow at highland/plateau. An experiment was carried out to evaluate the effect of induced mutation by gamma rays on performance of third generation (M1V3) Callistephus chinensis at lowland. Tiller of Callistephus chinensis was induced mutation by gamma rays at 0 Gy (Yo), 5 Gy (Y1), 10 Gy (Y2), 15 Gy (Y3) and 20 Gy (Y4) at first generation (M1V1). Plant from M1V2 was selected based on earlier flowering as plant material for M1V3. There were 12 genotypes selected. Twelve genotype and Y0 were planted at lowland (125 m above sea level) in Tembalang - Semarang. The results showed that induced mutation by gamma rays increased height, number of leaves, number of flower, flower stalk length of M1V3 Callistephus chinensis at lowland. Number of tiller were not significantly different between induced mutation plant and control, except for Y1-U4-11 and Y3-U3-10. Colour of flower was not significantly different between induced mutation plant and control, except for some of Y3-U3-10 genotype. Most flower colour was purple, while some of Y1-U4-9 genotype (Y1-U4-9-5) were pink. The conclusion was Callistephus chinensis can adapted in lowland due to induced mutation by gamma rays.