INDUCTION OF VARIABILITY IN GLADIOLUS (GLADIOLUS GRANDIFLORUS L.) BY CHEMICAL MUTAGENSA.H. Baraiya, Sudha Patil, R.M. Mangroliya, S.L. Chawla and Nutan GujaratiAbstract The present study was conducted to see the effect of chemical mutagens on vegetative growth, flowering, corm and cormels attributes of gladiolus var. Rani Sahiba. Chemical dosages of DES and EMS ranging from 0.1 % to 0.5 % were used. Lower doses of DES viz., 0.2 % proved better as compared to EMS and control in terms of minimum days required for spike initiation and first floret opening with maximum spike length, rachis length, floret diameter, number of spikes per plant and weight of cormels per plant. Moreover, one mutant was isolated and selected on the basis of colour with desirable characteristics from this treatment. Significantly higher number of leaves, number of florets per spike and vase life was recorded in plants received treatment of 0.3 % EMS. Maximum plant height was found better in 0.1 % DES while, maximum number of cormels per plant was recorded in 0.4 % DES. |