The investigation aimed to examine how gamma irradiation affected the different cultivars and identify favorable mutations concerning quality and agronomic traits. Medium-sized corms from seven gladiolus cultivars, viz., 'Nova Lux,' 'Praha,' 'Black Star,' 'Nathan Red,' 'Priscilla,' 'Punjab Dawn,' and 'Tiger Flame', were used as experimental material. These corms were exposed to different doses of gamma rays, such as 0.0 Kr (control) and 6.5 kR. Subsequently, in 2021–22, they were again subjected to gamma irradiation at a dose of 6.5 kR to assess the impact of dual exposure to gamma radiation. Observations were recorded for the entire plant population. The research revealed a random decline in the survival rate of plants across all cultivars when exposed to higher doses of gamma rays. The gamma irradiation showed an inhibitory effect on vegetative characteristics, viz., plant height, number, length, and width of leaves, in all the cultivars except ‘Punjab Dawn’ and 'Priscilla', which were least affected when irradiated with gamma rays. The number of tillers and corms increased, whereas the number and size of floret, spike length, rachis length, vase life, weight, and size of corms and cormels were reduced. The plants could not produce flower spikes in the first generation of all the varieties except ‘Punjab Dawn’ Praha, Nathan Red, and ‘Priscilla’. The mutation spectrum and frequency were highest in 'Praha', and most of the variations were observed in the form of chimeras and abnormalities. Some desirable mutants were identified in all the cultivars except ‘Black Star’. In conclusion, these findings shed light on the complexities of mutational responses and offer insights into potential avenues for targeted trait enhancements in gladiolus cultivation

gamma irradiation, dual exposure, gladiolus cultivars, mutants

These findings provide valuable insights for future research and practical applications in the cultivation and breeding of gladiolus and potentially other horticultural crops. Mutation breeding can be used to produce a variety of modifications in the gladiolus' morphological framework. For crop development, the available spontaneous variability is supplemented by the generation of a broad spectrum of genetic variability using physical mutagens such as application of gamma rays

Yograj Kushwaha, Bhagwan Das Bhuj, Ranjan Srivastava, N.K. Singh and Satish Chand (2024). Assessment of Single and Dual Dose of Gamma Rays on Gladiolus Cultivars. Biological Forum – An International Journal, 16(6): 85-88.