Mutagenic effectiveness and efficiency of gamma rays and ethyl methane sulphonate on Hibiscus rosa-sinensis L. cultivar red single

The present investigation was undertaken to assess the spectrum of chlorophyll mutation in Hibiscus rosa-sinensis L. Cultivar Red Single and also to study the mutagenic effectiveness and efficiency in M₁^V1 generation of Hibiscus rosa sinensis L. Cultivar Red Single. Semi-hardwood cuttings of Hibiscus were treated with three doses of gamma rays viz., 25, 30 and 35 Gy and three doses of EMS viz., 0.8% (64.43 mM), 0.9% (72.48 mM, 1.0% (80.54 mM) separately. Physical mutagens created a high frequency as well as a wide spectrum of chlorophyll mutants. Totally five types of chlorophyll mutant’s viz., albino, xantha, viridis, chlorina and xantha-viridis were observed as a result of physical and chemical mutation. The mutagenic effectiveness and efficiency were calculated based on biological damage as well as chlorophyll mutation frequency on M₁V₁ plants. Mutagenic efficiency and effectiveness were higher in gamma radiation-induced plants particularly in a lower dose of 25 Gy. The highest mutation rate in terms of effectiveness and efficiency was observed in gamma rays than the Ethyl Methane Sulphonate treatment.