X-ray induced mutations inBegonia x hiemalis

✍ Scribed by J. Doorenbos; J. J. Karper

• Book ID: 104641495
• Publisher: Springer
• Year: 1975
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 497 KB
• Volume: 24
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0014-2336
• DOI: 10.1007/bf00147163

✦ Synopsis

A study was made of the occurrence of mutants in plants of four clones of Begonia x hiemalis grown from leaf cuttings irradiated with 0, 1500, 2000 or 2500 rad of X-rays. Irradiation reduced the number and slowed down the development of adventitious shoots, but to a diffferent degree in the four clones used. The percentage of mutated shoots was as high as 1835% in the non-irradiated shoots. Irradiation raised it to more than 80%. In the control plants, almost exclusively flower colour mutants were found. Irradiation caused a wider range of flower colour mutants and also caused mutations of growth habit, colour and size of the leaves, and size and shape of the flower. Almost all mutants were 'solid', i.e. non-chimeral.