PHENOTYPIC CHARACTERIZATION OF CHRYSANTHEMUM CORONARIUM AND ITS DIFFERENT MUTANTS IN YEAR 2012-13

The study was conducted in phenotypic characterization of Chrysanthemum coronarium and its different mutants at Model Floriculture Centre of the University during year 2012 - 2013. Seeds of Chrysanthemum coronarium were treated with various doses of gamma rays (Cobalt-60) at National Botanical Research Institute, Lucknow. Immediately after the mutagenic treatment, the nurseries were raised and further transplanted in the field. M1 population of Chrysanthemum coronarium treated with different doses of gamma rays were screened and characterized. The experimental materials selected for the present investigation consisted of 22 mutants (M2) lines of Chrysanthemum coronarium. Data on phenotypic characterization conducted for various vegetative and floral traits revealed that there is a significant variation among different mutants and species Chrysanthemum coronarium used for the study of various phenotypic parameters. Result of quantitative analysis revealed that minimum plant height was found in mutant Co13 (23). Mutant Co 8 (11) showed maximum leaf length and leaf area , mutant Co 7 (88) had maximum leaf width and leaf area, mutant Co 5 (55) exhibited maximum flower head diameter, ray floret length and width, mutant Co 11 (131) recorded maximum flower head weight and disc floret weight. Whereas, flower disc diameter and flower head height were found maximum in mutants Co 10 (26) and Co 3 (59) however, mutants Co 3 (63) and Co 2 (5) had maximum number of ray florets and ray floret weight respectively. Whereas, results of qualitative analysis exhibited that four mutants like Co 4 (1), Co 4 (67), Co 4 (88) and Co 1 (9) were different from their parents as they had variation in form (semi-double and double) and colour (yellow group) of the flowers.