The Enhancing Floral and Post-harvest Traits in Gladiolus through EMS-Induced Mutagenesis

Hasnain Shamshad; Imran Hassan; Usman Shoukat Qureshi; Mahmood  ul Hassan; Muhammad Zeeshan

The Enhancing Floral and Post-harvest Traits in Gladiolus through EMS-Induced Mutagenesis

Authors

Hasnain Shamshad M.Sc. (Hons) Scholar, Horticulture, Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi, Pakistan
Imran Hassan Chairman/Associate Professor, Horticulture, Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi, Pakistan
Usman Shoukat Qureshi Lecturer/Horticulturist, Landscape Studio Lab, Horticulture, Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi, Pakistan,
Mahmood ul Hassan Associate Professor, Plant Breeding and Genetics, Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi, Pakistan
Muhammad Zeeshan Research fellow, Landscape Studio Lab. Horticulture, Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi, Pakistan

Keywords:

Cut flower; , Ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS); , Mutagenesis; , Postharvest Longevity.

Abstract

Gladiolus (Gladiolus grandiflora L.) cv. ‘White Prosperity’ is a commercially important cut flower, valued for its glossy white colored spikes and excellent vase life. Among cut flowers, it stands second in ranking after roses, but a narrow genetic base limits its breeding, which creates potential for improving its floral and postharvest characters. This study aimed to induce genetic variation by using different concentrations of chemical mutagen, Ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS) (control, @ 0.25%, @ 0.50%, @ 0.75% and @ 1.00%) for enhancing floral and postharvest attributes. Using a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD), significant variations were observed and recorded. The data showed that treatment T1 (0.25 %) showed the overall best results with the longest vase life (12.4 days), good stalk length (43.33 cm), number of florets (7.5), intermediate flower size with length of 5.37 cm and width of 53.56 mm. Also, maintained higher flower quality based on the rubric scoring method. EMS treatment T3 (0.75 %) showed moderate results by delaying senescence (3.79 days) while T4 (1.00 %) enhanced stalk length (43.40 cm) and also promoted earliest spike emergence (118.67 days). However, T3 and T4 negatively affected floret number, flower size and vase life. Overall, low concentration (0.25 %) emerged as most effective for improving both ornamental and postharvest longevity, making it a promising treatment for mutant selection and future gladiolus breeding. This study successfully demonstrates the potential of EMS mutagenesis for enhancing commercially important traits in gladiolus cultivation.

Author Biographies

Imran Hassan, Chairman/Associate Professor, Horticulture, Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi, Pakistan

Supervisior

Usman Shoukat Qureshi, Lecturer/Horticulturist, Landscape Studio Lab, Horticulture, Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi, Pakistan,

Internal member

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The Enhancing Floral and Post-harvest Traits in Gladiolus through EMS-Induced Mutagenesis