Genetic improvement of pyrethrum (Tanacetum cinerariifolium Sch. Bip.) through gamma radiation and selection of high yield stable mutants through seven post-radiation generations

Abstract

Purpose

To increase the size of the flowers for easy plucking, flower yield, pyrethrins content (%), and elite mutant selection in pyrethrum.

Materials and methods

To increase pyrethrum production and acclimatize in north Indian plain condition, a genetic improvement program was undertaken to widen the range of variations for size and yield of flowers and pyrethrins content (%) in pyrethrum crop. Pyrethrum seeds of the variety Avadh were irradiated with gamma rays at 20 to 300 Gy doses in Gamma chamber 5000 (cobalt-60 research irradiator).

Results

Observations gathered visually in M₁ based on vigor, synchronization of flowering, and flower’s size. Out of 90 M₂ families, 20 mutants were raised in M₃ along with the check-in preliminary evaluation trial. The four promising mutants, 1 (20 Gy-3), 7 (40 Gy-5), 10 (40 Gy-8), 14 (60 Gy19-10) was grown for four years in a bench-scale trial (randomized block design, replicated thrice) to test the yield performance and selection of high yielding elite mutant (s). It has been found that pyrethrum is sensitive to gamma rays irradiation and produced a high range of qualitative and quantitative variations. After massive screening over four years, two promising mutants for high dry flower yield and pyrethrins content, namely 7 (40 Gy-5), and 10 (40GY-8) were isolated.

Conclusions

The mutagenesis changed traits mean in positive or negative directions. Pyrethrum plant is highly sensitive to gamma irradiation and produced a high range of variability in the qualitative and quantitative traits. The mutagenesis changed the mean of traits in both positive and negative directions. Due to mutagenic efficacy, two mutants 7 (40 Gy-5), and 10 (40GY-8) were expressed high performance for pyrethrin percent i.e., 87.23 and 59.78% improvement over the check variety ‘Avadh’, with synchronous flowering. These two mutants are in the pipeline for release as a variety for cultivation in the North Indian plains.

Keywords:

• Induced mutation
• pesticides
• pyrethrins
• synchronous flowering
• synthetic pyrethroids

Acknowledgments

Authors are grateful to Director, CSIR-CIMAP, Lucknow, UP, India PIN 226015 for the support and facilities they provide.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

CSIR, India funded this work the funding of the Emeritus Scientist Scheme (sanction No. 21 (1020)/16/EMR-II, 2016). The CIMAP Publication No. Pub/CIMAP/2018/37.

Notes on contributors

Raj Kishori Lal

Raj K. Lal, Ph.D, is a CSIR - Emeritus Scientist (Ex-Chief Scientist) in the Genetics and Plant Breeding Division, at the CSIR-CIMAP, Lucknow U.P. (India). He specialized in the genetic improvement and mutation breeding of medicinal and aromatic plants.

Chandan Singh Chanotiya

Chandan S. Chanotiya, Ph.D, is a Principal Scientist in the Department of Analytical Chemistry at CSIR-CIMAP, Lucknow U.P. (India). He has specialized in the field of chemistry of Uttarakhand Himalayan medicinal and aromatic plant products, essential oil chemistry, and separation of enantiomeric pairs of terpenoids.

Pankhuri Gupta

Pankhuri Gupta, M.Tech. (Biotechnology), is a Project Assistant at CSIR-CIMAP, Lucknow U.P. (India). She specialized in the Plant Biotechnology, genetic improvement and mutation breeding of medicinal and aromatic plants.

Anand Mishra

Anand Mishra, Ph.D. (Plant Biotechnology), is a Research Associate in the Genetics and Plant Breeding Division of the CSIR-CIMAP, Lucknow U.P. (India). He specialized in the Plant Biotechnology, genetic improvement and mutation breeding of medicinal and aromatic plants.

Madan Mohan Gupta

Madan Mohan Gupta, Ph.D. (Superannuated). He was Ex-Chief Scientist of CSIR-CIMAP in the Department of Analytical Chemistry and specialized in the area’s chemistry of medicinal and aromatic plants.