Determining the Effect of Chemical Mutagens on Vegetative Growth of Calendula officinalis L. (cv. Calypso Orange)

The present investigation was carried out at the laboratory of floriculture and experimental farm of Mata Gujri college, Fatehgarh Sahib, Punjab. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design (RBD) with nine treatments and three replications. The treatments were T1 i.e., Sodium azide @1500ppm, T2 i.e., Sodium azide @2500ppm, T3 i.e., Sodium azide @3500ppm, T4 i.e., Sodium azide @4500ppm, T5 i.e., Diethyl sulphate @1500ppm, T6 i.e., Diethyl sulphate @2500ppm, T7 i.e., Diethyl sulphate @3500ppm, T8 i.e., Diethyl sulphate @4500ppm and T9 i.e., control. Observations were recorded for vegetative among all treatments maximum plant height (24.84cm), number of leaves per stem (8.95), number of stems per plant (7.48), stem length (22.85cm), leaf length (9.48cm), plant spread (24.89cm2) and diameter of main stem (9.39mm) were found maximum in T1 i.e., Sodium azide @1500ppm. Best vegetative parameters were recorded in Sodium azide @1500ppm Therefore, Sodium azide @1500ppm is best dosage for Calendula officinalis cv. Calypso orange. From the present study it can be concluded that the lowest concentration of Sodium Azide (1500ppm) reported the best performance of vegetative parameters such as plant height, number of leaves per stem, number of stems per plant, stem length, leaf length, plant spread, and diameter of main stem. From the results, it can be concluded that Sodium Azide @1500ppm is best dosage for Calendula officinalis cv. Calypso orange.