Induced somatic mutagenesis in Chrysanthemum

Chrysanthemum is the world’s second most important floriculture crop in India. The world trade in floriculture is over $ 100 billion and is growing at the rate of 15% per annum. The demand of Chrysanthemum in developed countries is more than 90% as one of the floriculture products. India’s floriculture industry is likely to enhance flower business upto Rs.8000 crore by the year 2015, since, it is growing at a compound annual growth rate of ca.30%. The Indian floriculture industry is poised at about Rs.3700 crore, with just 0.61% share in the global floriculture sector which is also likely to reach 0.89% by 2015 as ?50% area of floriculture is found in Karnataka, A.P., Tamilnadu, W.B., Maharashtra and Rajasthan. Induced mutation plays an important role in the genetic improvement of plants. The crops which do not produce any seed, mutation breeding is the only way to improve these crops. These mutants can be isolated through conventional method or chimera management techniques. The physical and chemical mutagens have been used successfully for induction of somatic mutations for flower colour, shape and size which can be exploited for improved breeding programs in future.