Ethyl methane sulphonate induced changes in cyto-morphological and biochemical aspects of Coriandrum sativum L.

Abstract

Abstract Induced mutagenesis plays a pivotal role in inducing variability among crops where hybridization is too hectic. However, efficiency of mutagen can be estimated by determining its effectiveness in inducing desirable characteristics in a short period in crops having narrow genetic base. Hence, present study has been done to assess the mutagenic impact of Ethyl Methane Sulphonate (EMS) on cytological, morphological and biochemical constituents of Coriandrum sativum L. The results revealed that the higher concentration and treatment duration are toxic in nature whereas lower concentrations of mutagen were quite beneficial in inducing positive characteristics with less toxicity. There was a progressive elevation in the chromosomal aberrations along with variations in morphological traits. The biochemical constituents (photosynthetic pigments and proline) are greatly affected by higher concentrations and durations of EMS treatment. The prominent chromosomal aberrations were stickiness and precocious movement at metaphase and bridges at anaphase while unorientation, scattering, c-metaphase laggards and disturbed polarity were also reported.