Co 60 gamma irradiation reduces rooting ability in M 1 V 1 Salvia uliginosa while inducing leaf variegation

Purpose Salvia uliginosa is a desirable ornamental shrub for the landscape with blue flowers and the ability to attract pollinators, but limited variation is commercially available in this species. Mutation breeding is a valuable tool to induce variation in ornamental species. However, many deleterious effects are associated with mutation breeding, including reduced rooting ability of vegetative cuttings.