Effect of induced mutation by EMS on in vivo runner production in different explants of tissue cultured strawberry, Fragaria x ananassa cv Camarosa

The present study was undertaken to find out the effect of induced mutation on in vivo runner production in strawberry, Fragaria x ananassa Duch. Chemical mutagen ethyl methane sulphonate (EMS) was used for the induction of variation. Explant was subjected to different EMS concentrations (0.1, 0.2, 0.3 and 0.4%) along with control for various treatment durations (1.5, 2.5 and 3.5 h). Runner tips, shoot tips and leaf disc (abaxial and adaxial) were used as explants. The concentration 0.4 per cent was found lethal to the plants. Among different concentrations of EMS tried 0.1 per cent was found best and took minimum days to initiate runners (63.7) followed by control (66.0) and 0.2 per ent (67.4) and gave highest runners per plant (12.2). Among different durations treated 1.5 h took minimum days (62.1) to initiate runners and induce maximum number of runners (13.0) per plant followed by 2.5 and 3.5 h. Among various explants used the runner tips explants were found best followed by shoot tips, leaf disc (abaxial) and leaf disc (adaxial). There was a gradual decrease in the number of runners and increase in days taken to initiate the runners with increase in EMS concentrations and treatment duration.