The effect of gamma irradiation on some growth characteristics of gerbera (Gerbera jamesonii) in vitro

Gerbera is one of the most important ornamental plants in the world, which is mainly produced as a cut flower. Propagation and creating new features in this plant can increase marketability and serve the consumers satisfaction. This research was conducted to investigate the effect of gamma rays on morphological characteristics of gerbera under in vitro culture conditions. Sterile plantlets containing meristems of Y2-Gerbera cultivar were used at the 4-leaf stage of the plantlets. Were cultured in MS medium containing 0.15 mg / L of indole acetic acid (IAA) ‚ 0.5 mg / L of 6- benzylaminopurine (BA) ‚ 0.7% agar and 3% sucrose for propagation. The culture medium was distributed in each petri dishes to 15 ml. Petri dishes containing plantlets were applied to treat mutations under gamma rays from cobalt 60, with the intensity of 5, 10 and 20 gry, respectively. The experimental data included number of the leaves in the plantlet, length and the number of the plantlet recorded 5 weeks after radiation. The results showed that increasing gamma-ray dose reduced the number of the leaves in the plantlets, plantlet height and the number of plantlets. The average number of leaves and the mean the number of plantlets decreased significantly. The average length at 20 Gry had the lowest about 2.39 cm and the highest mean plantlets length was related to the control treatment with a length of 4.5 cm. The lowest average number of leaves and mean number of plantlets were equal to 17 and 34.4, respectively and the highest mean number of leaves and number of plantlets in the control treatment were 34.09 and 7.38, respectively

کلیدواژه ها:

Gerbera jamesonii ، Gamma rays ، Mutation ، Leaves number