The use of ionizing radiation such as protons, alpha and beta ions, neutrons, x, and gamma rays is one of the fundamental applications of nuclear technology for breeding ornamental plants. Gamma and X-rays are typically used for induction of physical mutation for several reasons; handling is relatively simple, mutagenic agents can easily reach the target cells, the results are reproducible, and there is no hazardous waste. Recent years have seen the use of heavy ion irradiation, mostly employing carbon ions, to induce mutations in several plant species.
Neutron irradiation, although rarely applied to ornamental plants, neutron irradiation has also been used as a mutagen so far. In addition to inducing mutation, the mutagenic treatment also has negative side effects. It has been suggested that the effectiveness of any mutagen used in plant breeding depends on both the mutation frequency per unit dose and its efficiency.
The lethal dose (LD50) and growth reduction (GR50) are the two primary metrics used to calculate the proper ionizing radiation dosage to induce mutations in crop breeding (GR50). In ornamental plants, mutagenesis is a powerful technique that may be used to develop novel varieties beneficial to the floriculture industry and explain physiological pathways in plant functioning. Most variants have been found in the genera Chrysanthemum, Rosa, Dahlia, Alstroemeria, Streptocarpus, Dianthus, and Begonia.
Read the complete research at: www.rsearchgate.net
Ghasemi-Soloklui, Ali Akbar & Kordrostami, Mojtaba & Salehi, Hassan. (2022). Use of nuclear techniques for breeding of ornamental plants.