Genetic diversity in gladiolus by using gamma rays

This investigation was carried out to determine the effects of gamma radiation on germination characteristics of gladiolus corms. This experiment was conducted through a factorial design in randomized complete block with three replications. Two factors included cultivars of gladiolus (Red Advance, White Prosperity, Amsterdam, and Rose Supreme) and doses of gamma radiation (0, 15, 25, 35, 45, 55, 65, and 75 Gy). The results showed that corm weight, corm size, and number of daughter corms decreased with increasing radiation doses, however, low dose (15 Gy) stimulated them. High doses of gamma irradiation (75 Gy) showed the lethal effects on various vegetative traits. The low yield at high doses can be due to the reduced vegetative growth as a result of gamma treatments. The results of this study suggest a dose of 40-65 Gy as the optimal dose to improve the vegetative traits of gladiolus.Keywords: Gladiolus, Genetic diversity, Corm, Mutation