Gamma ray-induced mutagenesis and its impact on per cent disease index in Tuberose cv. ‘Hyderabad Single’’

Tuberose (Polianthes tuberosa Linn.) is one of the most important flower crops grown under the tropical and subtropical conditions in India. The crop is affected by leaf spot disease caused by Alternaria polianthi, which significantly impacts its growth and flower yield. The disease is prevalent in both single and double varieties, especially in the regions with high rainfall and humidity. A study was conducted with gamma ray irradiated bulbs using 44 variants of mutant population with one untreated bulb (Control). Among the variants of mutant population studied in the VM2 generation, mutant M333 exhibited significantly highest per cent disease index (susceptible) compared to untreated control. No incidence of disease was noticed with mutants viz., M473C, M178 and M21, hence these were characterized as immune mutants to the leaf spot disease caused by Alternaria polianthi.