In-vitro intervention modifies the outcome of induced mutagenesis using gamma-ray but not ethyl methanesulphonate in cockscomb (Celosia cristata L.)

The viability of conventional vis-a-vis in-vitro mutagenesis was investigated using EMS and gamma-ray in cockscomb (Celosia cristata L.) ethyl methanesulphonate (EMS) was a better mutagen as compared to gamma-ray in terms of mutation frequency, effectiveness, efficiency, factor of effectiveness and mutation rate. The spectrum of mutants induced by EMS and the aforementioned parameters decreased with the increase in its concentration. Moreover, the EMS treatment to dry seed was fructuous compared to the pre-soaked seeds. Although the effect of EMS treatment was similar in conventional and in-vitro mutagenesis; the gamma-ray treatment worked differently in these two modes of mutagenesis.