Characterization of gamma ray induced mutations in PepYLCV-infecting local pepper in Karo Regency, Sumatra Utara, Indonesia

Abstract

Plant mutation breeding plays a pivotal role in increasing plant genetic variability, pest and disease resistance and yield production. Gamma ray irradiation induced to infected plants to obtain resistant mutant plants. This research aims to examine the morphological characterization of pepper plants and the mutant plants produced from irradiated PepYLCV-infecting local pepper from Karo Regency, Sumatra Utara, Indonesia. The research was conducted in January to October 2021 in farming land in Tongkoh Village, Dolat Rayat District, Karo Regency, Sumatra Utara, using non-Factorial Randomized Block Design. The mutation was induced by exposing the seeds of local chili to varied doses (D): 0 (uninfected seeds and unirradiated infected seeds), 150, 200 and 250 Gy and was performed using T-Test, replicated 3 times. The results of research showed that different doses of gamma rays significantly affected the mutant plants from the observation on its plant height, stem diameter, canopy and fruit lengths, fruit weight, number of branches, leaves and fruits. Plant induced with gamma ray 150 Gy found to have the longest canopy and fruit and also demonstrated the highest number of branches, flowers, leaves and the highest fruit weight compared to other higher doses. The exposure of gamma irradiation gave positive effect to infected chili to enhance their resistance in order to produce higher yield.