Mutation breeding is an established method used for crop improvement and has played a major role in the development of many new flower color/shape mutant cultivars in ornamentals. The present study is aimed at inducing mutations in Delphinium malabaricum using chemical mutagens ethyl methane sulfonate (EMS), sodium azide (SA) and physical mutagen (gamma rays). It was observed that D. malabaricum manifested specific reactions to the treatments with EMS, SA and gamma rays. Identification and selection of mutations were carried out in the second generation (M2). A variety of chlorophyll deficient mutants and high percentage of the flower color and morphological mutants were recorded. The maximum frequency of chlorophyll and flower color and morphological mutations were recorded in EMS treated plants when compared to the other two mutagens. The frequency values for the individual mutant types were varied and randomly distributed at different mutagenic treatments. The highest percentage of color mutants arose after treatments with 0.25% of EMS and the lowest at 20 kR of gamma rays. The mutants were quite distinct, as compared to the control and often had more attractive ornamental features compared to the starting material. The major commercial benefit of the application of this technology has so far been obtaining of novel flower mutants that can be used as an initial material for further breeding of new cultivars.
