Morphological Changes Through Mutation of Local Chilli in North Sumatra, Indonesia

Diana Hanafiah, Khairunnisa Lubis, Yaya Hasanah, Anggria Lestami, Rizki Nadapdap, Kinanti Nurhayati and Khadijah Caniago

Background and Objective: The chilli production produced is still less than optimal due to obstacles from biotic and abiotic stress. Genetic improvement of superior chilli varieties in Indonesia are very important considering that problem. The aim of this study was to induce mutations in chilli plants to increase their genetic diversity through changes in plant morphology. Materials and Methods: This study method is a descriptive statistical method. Local chilli cultivar seeds was used and evaluated the response on the growth of the first generation (M1) through gamma ray irradiation treatment. This seeds irradiated with doses of 0, 100, 200 and 300 Gy. The study assessed variations in quantitative traits such as plant height, dichotomous height, leaf area and stomata density. Data analysis used the means, standard deviation and paired t-test to compare the means of the irradiation treatment with the means of the control treatment. Results: The variation derived from the plant height, dichotomous height, leaf area, stomata density on M1 generation affects plant growth at vegetative phase than the control plants. Higher levels of irradiation at 300 Gy decreased the growth and development of the chilli seedling. The low level of stomata density and supported by broad leaves really supports the better growth in a population of 100 Gy compared to the control population (0 Gy). Conclusion: Exposing chilli plants to doses ranging from 0 to 300 Gy through mutation induction alters their growth and morphology diversity in comparison to non-irradiated plants.

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