Inducing Genetic Variation in Taro Using Gamma Irradiation

Abstract

This study was carried out during two successive seasons 2018 and 2019 at El-Kanater El-Khyreia, Horticulture Research Station of Hort. Res. Institute (Kaluobia Governorate), Agriculture Research Center (ARC), Egypt, the present investigation was carried out to study the effect of four gamma rays doses, 30, 60, 90 and 120 Gy in addition to Gy 0 (control), on yield and its components of Taro during two generations (M1and M2) in the two growing seasons 2018 and 2019. 120 Gy had lethal effect where it resulted in no germination.The results showed highly significant mean squares for all the studied traits in both two generations indicating considerable variations between the four treatments, while, phenotypic coefficient of variation was higher than that of genotypic coefficient of variation for all traits. Gamma ray affected widely the genetic variation making it good way to select new lines in taro. The 30 Gy dose was the best producing maximum variation in M2 generation. Selection was done on the plants under that dose to select the better plants were selected according to high vegetative growth, plant height, number of leaves per plant, number of corms, corm length, corm weight and diameter as well as corm shape index. Results of evaluated M2 generation clones can be summarize as follows: selection based on weight of corm was efficient to increase total yield and corm quality, the clone's number 3, 4 and 5 produced the highest number of corms / plant and the highest corm weight. the selected clone's number 3, 4 and 5 are recommended for cultivation in Delta Governorates Egypt.