Effect of gamma ray on morphological characteristic of Nelumbo nucifera (Roseum Plenum lotus)

Abstract

© 2017, International Society for Horticultural Science. All rights reserved. Effect of gamma ray on morphological characteristics of Nelumbo nucifera (Roseum Plenum lotus or sacred lotus) was investigated. The lotus seeds were acutely irradiated with the doses of 0, 200, 400, 600, 800 and 1,000 Gy and the lotus rhizomes were acutely irradiated with the doses of 0, 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 Gy. The irradiated seeds and rhizomes were planted in plastic pots for 30 days. The germination rates of gamma-ray exposed seeds and control were observed. The results showed that some of the irradiated seeds were able to germinate. After that, all seedlings failed to grow. The germination rates of irradiated rhizomes with the doses of 0, 10 and 20 Gy were 100, 55.56 and 22.22%, respectively. LD50was established at about 12 Gy. The morphological characteristics of lotus plants from irradiated rhizomes were different from the original lotus plants, such as undulate leaves, pink or yellow scattered spots on leaves and brown or reddish-brown young leaves. This experiment gave basic information which was very useful for lotus mutation breeding.