Induced mutation In Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn. by gamma irradiation

Lotus (Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn.) seeds were exposed to different levels of Gamma irradiation at 0, 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 Kilo rad. The exposed embryos were cultured on solid M S medium supplemented with 2 mg/l B A and overlaid with a liquid M S medium without growth regulators for 1 month. It was found that 50% growth reduction (GR50) was at 6 Kilo rad. The plant lets were subcultured twice every 2 months then they were transferred to solid M S medium supplemented with 4 mg/l NAA and overlaid with M S medium without growth regulators for root induction. The results revealed that plant lets in the control treatment (not exposed to Gamma irradiation) had the highest shoot growth and adventitious root formation. Plant lets at 2-Kilo rad treatment showed the second highest growth. The plant lets at 4-Kilo rad treatment did not exhibit adventitious root formation and had abnormal characteristics. Treatments at 6-10 Kilo rad inhibited the growth of the plant lets