The present investigation comprises the data on frequency percentage of chlorophyll mutations in the different doses of gamma rays coupled with EMS in ginger. Different mutation frequencies and width of mutation spectra were induced under the action of different concentrations of the two applied mutagens. The spectrums of chlorophyll mutations (albino, xantha, and chlorina) were observed and grouped. The overall mutation spectrum for ginger showed that xantha occurred with the highest frequency, followed by chlorina and albino. The mutagenic effectiveness decreased with the increase in dose of mutagen for both the mutagen indicating that negative relationship between effectiveness and dose of mutagen. EMS provided more number of chlorophyll mutants than gamma rays in this investigation.

The phenotypic response of Delphinium malabaricum to chemical mutagens (EMS and SA) and physical mutagen (gamma rays) were studied. It was observed that D. malabaricum manifested specifi c reactions to the treatments with EMS, SA and gamma rays. Different mutation frequencies and width of mutation spectra were induced under the action of different concentrations of the applied mutagens. Eleven different types of chlorophyll mutants namely albina, albina-green, xantha, aurea, chlorina, viridis, yellow viridis, tigrina, striata, maculata and variegated type were identifi ed in the treated populations and chlorophyll mutation frequency was calculated on plant population basis. Frequency of viridis mutants were highest followed by xantha and other types in all the treatments. The treatments of EMS were found to be more effi cient than SA and gamma rays in inducing chlorophyll mutations. The highest frequency of chlorophyll mutations (9.74%) was reported in the 0.25% EMS. Quantitative estimation of chlorophyll pigments was also done in different kinds of chlorophyll mutants and chlorophyll content was found in the following decreasing order: chlorina > maculata> variegated> striata> tigrina> viridis> yellow viridis> albina green> aurea> xantha > albina. The study of induced genetic variability for frequency and spectrum of chlorophyll mutations is the fi rst report in D. malabaricum.

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.

In this study, the antioxidant activity of aqueous and ethanol extracts of four plants from the genus Cassia were evaluated by various antioxidant assays, including ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), DPPH free radical scavenging, metal chelating activity, phosphomolybdenum reducing power, hydrogen peroxide radical scavenging, hydroxyl radical scavenging, deoxyribose degradation and β-carotene bleaching assay. The various antioxidant activities were compared to standard antioxidant such as ascorbic acid. All the extracts showed antioxidant activity in the tested methods. Among the four species, Cassia auriculata has been found to possess highest activity in most of the tested models. In addition to the antioxidant activity, the total phenolics and flavonoids were measured in the extracts. The ethanolic extract exhibited highest phenolics and flavonoid contents and had also shown potent antioxidant activity in comparison to the aqueous extracts. The possible antioxidant mechanism of the ethanol extract can be due to its hydrogen or electron donating and direct free radical scavenging properties. Hence, the ethanol extract represents a source of potential antioxidants that could be used in pharmaceutical industries.

Meiotic cell division is a dynamic cellular process controlled by a large number of genes that act from premeiotic to postmeiotic mitosis. Mutation in these genes may cause anomalies that impair plant fertility. In this study, an attempt has therefore been made to understand the effects of ethyl methane sulfonate (EMS), sodium azide (SA) and gamma rays on the meiotic configuration of Delphinium malabaricum. The results demonstrated that the mutagens cause various types of cytological aberrations, such as univalents, chromatin bridges, laggards, fragments, stickiness and multinucleated cells. The maximum aberrations were found at higher doses/concentrations of the mutagens. The highest percentage of pollen mother cells showing abnormalities was induced by EMS followed by gamma rays and SA. The mutagen impact on chromosomal anomalies increased the frequency of pollen sterility.