Mutation induction in lilium (Lilium longiflorum) using gamma ray at in vitro conditions

Breeding and production of new varieties of ornamental plants as well as their propagation and developing are an expanding industry. Researches find it necessary to increase the genetic variation in Lilium, because of value of this ornamental plant as the fourth cut flower in the world. The present study was carried out to investigate gamma radiation effects on in vitro mutation induction in Lilium. ISSR markers were used to determine genetic variation in resulting explants. Thin cell layer (TCL) explants were treated with 2, 6 and 10 Gy of gamma rays. Treated explants were cultured in MS medium supplemented with 1 mg/l BA and 0.5 mg/l NAA. Results showed all treatments induced genetic diversity, but the optimal dose was 2 Gy, because of increase diversity and survival rate of explants. The results confirmed the efficiency of ISSR markers for detection of genetic variations. Furthermore, the results suggested that mutatants induced by gamma irradiation are not only as a source for genetic variations but also as a useful tool for early selection of desirable mutants by breeders.