Determination of ld50 value in edible electric flower (Spilanthes oleracea L.) by gamma radiation and investigation of M1 generations

Electric flower (Spilanthes oleracea L.), an ornamental plant, has been grown commercially in recent years as edible flower due to the edible feature of its flowers and marketed in different parts of the world. It is also a medicinal plant used in medicine and the pharmaceutical industry. This study aims to calculate the LD50 value in electric flower with Co60 gamma radiation beam and is the first mutation breeding study on electric flower. In the study, the LD50 dose was calculated and M1 generations were examined. Seed germination, chlorophyll and color measurements in leaves, flowering times, flower yield and flower diameter parameters were investigated in LD50 applied electric flowers. The LD50 dose was calculated as 365.64 Gy in the probit analysis made with mortality rates as a result of Co60 gamma radiation applied to electric flower seeds. The plant with the heaviest flowers per flower was found to be 101st plant in 365 Gy application and 111th plant in total harvest weight at 365 Gy application and these individuals are thought to be mutants. Different flower colour was reached in the 61st plant in the 329 Gy application and in the 111th plant in the 365 Gy application, and different flower structure in the 171st plant in the 402 Gy application. In the study, 71st plant in 329 Gy application is thought to be a mutant candidate since it has longer shoot length. However, plants obtained from irradiated electric flower seeds had smaller flower diameters compared to the control, and the smallest flower diameter of 10.30 mm was obtained from the 365 Gy application. As a result, the LD50 dose was determined in the mutation breeding study in electric flower, and 329 Gy, 365 Gy (LD50) and 402 Gy doses found as appropriate doses created individuals who could be mutant candidates for M2 generations in terms of the characteristics examined. The results of the study are important in terms of creating a resource for mutation and classical breeding studies and saving time for plant breeders.