Detection of changes in growth, yield and genetic variation using RAPD
markers among M1V2 and M1V3 generations of irradiated ginger (Zingiber
officinale Roscoe)
The effects of gamma-rays on the growth and yield of twelve mutant lines of Zingiber officinale Roscoe from 2 varieties; namely Bentong and Tanjung Sepat were analysed for a second (M1V2) and a third generation (M1V3). Mutant rhizomes have previously been exposed to different doses (0, 5, 7, 9, 11, and 13 Gy) of gamma-rays that were propagated until the third generation. In the study, the phenotypic characteristic and genetic variation study using Randomly Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) of ginger mutant lines of M1V2 and M1V3 were analysed and compared with the first generation (M1V1). Parameters such as sprouting rhizome, plant height, the average number of leaves and shoots, average length and width of leaves, and average weights of rhizomes per plant for mutant lines of both varieties were collected. It was observed that the increase in dosage had a negative effect on the growth performance of plants. The number of leaves and shoots, length and width of leaves and average weight of rhizomes for both generations were decreased as the dose increased. The plants from the treatment 5 Gy dose produced the highest ginger rhizome yields of 65.45±1.35 g and 165.0±2.30 g in the Bentong and Tanjung Sepat varieties respectively, after nine months of cultivation in M1V2. While in M1V3, the rhizome yield at 5 Gy showed that the highest rhizome yields were reduced in both varieties of Bentong (45.45±1.25 g) and Tanjung Sepat (125.0±2.30 g). The PCR-based RAPD analysis showed 98.29% of polymorphism which indicated genetic variations between ginger mutant lines. The information provides an important input in determining resourceful management strategies for genetics improvement of ginger.