Biological effects of heavy-ion beam irradiation on cyclamen

The biological effects of heavy-ion beam irradiation on cultured tissues of cyclamen were investigated by establishing an irradiation-mediated mutation breeding protocol for producing a new variety of cyclamen. Initially, a callus, a somatic embryo, and a plantlet were irradiated with C ion beam at doses of 10, 20, 40, 60, and 80 Gy. Distinct mutants were not obtained in plants regenerated from the irradiated cultured materials. Next, we used the tuber of cyclamen as a target for irradiation. Irradiation (8–16 Gy) of 8–15 mm diameter tubers produced male sterility, change in petal colour, and petal form. Mutation induction by heavy-ion beam irradiation to the tuber is useful for changing flower characteristics of cyclamen.