Application of in vitro techniques in mutation breeding of chrysanthemum

Rooted cuttings of Chrysanthemum morifolium cv. Maghi, a small flowered, late blooming cultivar, were treated with different doses of gamma rays. Somatic mutations in flower colour (light mauve, white, light yellow and dark yellow) and chlorophyll variegation in leaves were detected as chimeras in treated populations. Attempts were made to standardize a microtechnique for plant regeneration from mutated tissues of stem node, stem internode, shoot tip and ray floret. All these explants were cultured on Murashige and Skoog's medium with 3% sucrose, 0.8% agar and different concentrations and combinations of growth regulators. Plant regeneration was successful from all of the mutated tissues. Plants with chlorophyll variegation in leaves and two new flower colours (light mauve and white) were isolated in pure form with 64% and 100% efficiency of mutant recovery, respectively. Attempts are being made to use this technique to establish new varieties from chimeric tissues to meet the increasing demand of the floriculture trade.