A study was conducted to find out the novel mutants induced by the gamma irradiation in tuberose crop. The experiment was carried out at the Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi. Two cultivars Prajwal and PhuleRajani with three bulb stages were selected freshly harvested bulb (B0), three weeks after uprooting (B1) and six weeks after uprooting (B2) were irradiated by , , , and Gy of gamma rays along with control (G0-0Gy) without irradiation. Gamma radiation affected the sprouting in variety Prajwal where above Gy there was no bulb sprouting was observed. This was supported by the histological study where cells become bigger in size, deformed shape of the cell, complete damage of outer epidermal layer and cells with more vaculation was observed. New mutants were isolated from VM1 generation Viz., Tall flowering mutant, dwarf mutant, Flower colour mutant, Double spike head mutant even though these mutant were novel but they were not found stable in next generation. In VM2 population mutants were derived from the primary gamma irradiated population which was maintained after observing the gamma irradiation effect of vM1 generation Viz., Flower shape mutant, Tall mutant, Flower colour Mutant, Mutant with higher rachis length and variegated leaf mutant. From this study it was found that freshly harvested bulbs of both the tuberose cultivars Prajwal and PhuleRajani are highly suitable for mutation induction either in vivo and also in vitro condition. | Induction of novel mutants and their stability using gamma irradiation in tuberose (Polyanthes tuberosa L)
