Since November 2024, Huynh Lam Anh Kiet, a student from the 2021 Biotechnology program, has applied radiation technology to conduct scientific research on “The effects of gamma radiation doses on phenotypic changes in Gloxinia flowers (Sinningia Speciosa).”
The research aims to create and commercialize mutant Gloxinia flowers with different stem and leaf structures and colors that do not exist in nature. This represents a novel idea that a student researches for the first time at Tra Vinh University.
Gloxinia, scientifically known as Sinningia speciosa, originates from Brazil and people also call it the bell flower of love. The flower has several other names including Siamese rose, sea dog’s mouth flower, and saint flower. This tuberous plant grows low with large, broad oval-shaped leaves or reverse lanceolate leaves with rounded tips. The flowers have a very large bell shape and display brilliant colors.
With its vibrant colors, Gloxinia stands out among ornamental garden plants. The flower petals feel soft and smooth like velvet and come in various colors including red, purple, white, and pink.
Huynh Lam Anh Kiet, the research project leader, explains that creating mutations in Gloxinia varieties through physical treatments like gamma rays and X-rays helps generate new flower shapes and change flower colors. Combining plant tissue culture with mutation induction creates a series of new flower varieties that do not exist in nature.
Sharing the research process, Kiet describes how researchers cultivate source plants in vitro on MS medium supplemented with growth regulators to stimulate shoot multiplication and root formation. After more than eight weeks, rooted plants from test tubes undergo washing with tap water to remove agar, then transfer to trays containing various substrates and cover with polyethylene bags for two weeks to maintain high humidity. The substrates used include coconut coir, manure, sand-soil mixture, and rice husks.
Young plants that develop well move to larger pots with 12cm diameter, with one plant per pot. During the seedling stage, 15-20 days after transferring plants to larger pots, researchers apply NPK 20-20-15 fertilizer to supplement nutrition for plant development. Plants flower after 2-3 months of cultivation.
Dr. Trinh Ngoc Ai, Deputy Director of the Institute of Biotechnology at Tra Vinh University, explains that in crop breeding, gamma rays change DNA structure and form mutations. These mutations alter desired traits such as increasing disease resistance in crops, improving yield, enhancing resistance to environmental stress conditions like drought and salinity, or changing color and flower shape characteristics in the flower industry.
Dr. Trinh Ngoc Ai notes that the research has broad application potential in the flower industry market, creating diverse crop varieties adapted to local conditions. It can simultaneously provide large quantities of plants for people with needs, especially providing stable seed sources that contribute to local economic development.
Meanwhile, radiation technology opens doors for creating flower varieties with diverse colors, shapes, and high quality with fewer fungal diseases. Compared to traditional breeding methods, radiation technology offers advantages of speed, efficiency, and creates many beneficial genetic variations for various crop types.
Beginning enrollment in 2018, the Biotechnology program follows an application-oriented approach that meets employer needs. The program aims to train students with basic knowledge in social sciences, political science, law, information technology, and foreign languages, along with planning, organizing, supervising, managing, and directing professional activities in the Biotechnology field.
Students apply general knowledge in natural and social sciences for practical research or production applications. They build processes to apply specialized Biotechnology knowledge in microbiology, medicine-pharmacy, environment, genetic engineering, or plant biotechnology fields. Students outline research methods, arrange experiments, and analyze data in the Biotechnology field while connecting specialized knowledge and scientific-technical advances related to biotechnology to advise and communicate with others.
Additionally, students can design experiments and transfer biotechnology processes. They skillfully perform operations related to microbiology, medicine-pharmacy, genetic engineering, and plant technology fields. Students analyze operating principles and operate machinery and equipment related to the biotechnology field while controlling technical processes and equipment in research and production of products applying biotechnology techniques. The program develops communication skills, report writing skills, presentation skills, independent work and teamwork abilities, critical thinking, and problem-solving capabilities. Students develop scientific research capacity in biotechnology and other related fields.
Hieu Nhan
