In plant breeding, mutation is one of the plant improvement strategies through the induction of genetic diversity. This study sought to evaluate the use of colchicine to induce mutations based on morphological characters in pineapple (Ananas comosus L.). The study employed a completely randomized factorial design, with the first factor comprising four pineapple genotypes and the second factor consisting of three concentrations of colchicine (300, 400, and 500 ppm) and a control. The results showed a colchicine concentration of 500 ppm changed the flesh color to golden yellow in the Q02 genotype. Interaction in 11 characters between genotypes and colchicine concentrations occurred. These characters included plant height, the number of leaves and crown leaves, leaf length, crown height and weight, stem diameter, fruit stalk and fruit diameter, fruit weight with and without crown, and edible part (%). This study concluded that colchicine 500 ppm produced golden-yellow flesh color and significant variations in vegetative characters. Therefore, it highly recommends colchicine concentrations of more than 500 ppm can be beneficial for improving pineapple plants.

Keywords: Pineapple (A. comosus L.), genotypes, colchicine concentrations, mutation, morphological traits, flesh color

Key findings: Colchicine of 500 ppm produced a golden yellow flesh color in the Q02 genotype and significant changes in vegetative characters of pineapple (A. comosus L.). It is superior to use colchicine concentrations of more than 500 ppm for future pineapple improvement.