Abstract
Chemical and physical mutagenesis has been used to increase genetic variability in crop plants. More than 430 new varieties have been derived as mutants of rice (Oryza sativa L.) via the application of different mutagenic agents. Chemical mutagens such as ethyl methane sulphonate (EMS), diepoxybutane-derived (DEB), sodium azide and irradiation (Gamma rays, X-rays and fast neutrons) have been widely used to induce a large number of functional variations in rice and others crops. Among chemical mutagens, the alkylating agent, ethyl methane sulfonate (EMS) is the most commonly used in plants as it causes a high frequency of nucleotide substitutions, as detected in different genomes. In this study, seeds of potential genotype of the popular variety, (Oryza sativa L. spp. Indica cv. MR219) were treated with EMS at concentrations of 0.25%, 0.50%, 0.75%, 1%, 1.25%, 1.5% and 2%. Sensitivity to EMS was determined by various measurements on the M1 generation. As concentration of applied EMS increased, will decrease in germination, seedling height, root length and emergence under field conditions was observed in M1 generation as compared to the non-treatment control. Plant height and root length also decreased with increases in EMS mutagenesis in an approximately linear fashion. The LD25 and LD50 values were observed based on growth reduction of seedlings after EMS treatment with 0.25% and 0.50% on the rice variety (Oryza sativa L. spp. Indica cv. MR219).
Highlights
Chemical mutagens (EMS, DEB and sodium azide) and irradiation (Gamma rays, X-rays and fast neutrons) have been widely used to induce a large number of functional variations in rice
As concentration of applied ethyl methane sulphonate (EMS) increased, will decrease in germination, seedling height, root length and emergence under field conditions was observed in M1 generation as compared to the non-treatment control
Alkylating agents were the first class of chemical mutagens to be discovered when Auerbach and Robson [2] found the mutagenic effects of mustard gas and related compounds during World War II
Summary
Chemical mutagens (EMS, DEB and sodium azide) and irradiation (Gamma rays, X-rays and fast neutrons) have been widely used to induce a large number of functional variations in rice. Alkylating agents were the first class of chemical mutagens to be discovered when Auerbach and Robson [2] found the mutagenic effects of mustard gas and related compounds during World War II. Alkylating agents such as mustard gas, methylmethanesulfonate (MMS), ethylmethanesulfonate (EMS), and nitrosoguanidine have several effects on DNA. Since EMS produces a large number (genome-wide) of non-lethal point mutations, a relatively small mutant population (approximately 10,000) is sufficient to saturate the genome with mutations. In Arabidopsis, point mutation density can be as high as four mutations per Mb [3,4,5]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
