Zamioculcas zamiifolia Engl. (ZZ) is an ornamental foliage plant, recently introduced to the world of interior plantscape. The present study on inducing variability in ZZ plants using mutagens was carried out during the year 2021-2022 in shade net at the 'D' Block, UAS, GKVK, Bengaluru. Mature leaflets with rhizome initiated were irradiated with 10 Gy, 12 Gy, 14 Gy, 16 Gy, 18 Gy and 20 grays of gamma irradiation. In gamma irradiated treatments, LD50 was observed at 18 Gy. In untreated control mature leaflets, early rhizome formation at 16.50 days after rhizome initiation (DAI), root initiation at 4.80 days DAI, highest number of roots (4.90) at 120 DAI, new shoot bud initiation at 62.50 DAI, maximum rhizome diameter of 1.62 cm at 90 DAI was recorded. Formation of cotyledonary like leaves at 93.60 DAI, maximum leaflet number (3.10), leaflet area (1.45 cm2) and plant height (3.35 cm) were recorded in control mature leaflet at 120 DAI. Variations could not be recorded in any of the gamma irradiated treatments with respect to leaf colour, leaflet variegation and leaflet shape due to detrimental effect of mutagen which was lethal and resulted in mortality of all the treated mature leaflets.

Zamioculcas zamiifolia, Mature leaflet, Gamma irradiation, Mutation, EMS

Mutation induction using gamma ray is an exploration method for creating new variation in Zamioculcas zamiifolia Engl.. In the gamma irradiated mature leaflets with rhizome initiated, increase in the irradiation dosage had an adverse effect on the growth of rhizomes. The regular cycle and sequence of events in the formation of new plantlets from mature leaflets was hindered. Formation of roots, shoot bud, cotyledonary like leaves and development of new leaf was completely inhibited in irradiated mature leaflets with rhizome initiated. LD50 was found to be 18 Gy where 50 per cent of the rhizomes was survived.

Basana Gouda S., Vijaykumar, Nirmala K. S. and R. Vasantha Kumari (2023). Effect of Gamma Irradiation on Induction of Mutations in Zamioculcas zamiifolia Engl. for Novel Plant Architectur. Biological Forum – An International Journal, 15(12): 91-95.