Abstract
Vernonia is a novel, underutilised oilseed crop that has suffered genetic erosion and neglect from previous classification as a weed. Mutations of a single or few genes possessing target traits are invaluable in crop improvement programs, and the use of chemical mutagens like ethylmethanesulfonate (EMS) can potentially address agronomic challenges in vernonia. This study was conducted to induce genetic variation using predetermined EMS treatment conditions in two vernonia accessions. Two accessions (Vge-1 and Vge-4) were treated using previously determined optimum mutagenesis conditions (0.372% EMS dose for one hour at 35 °C for Vge-1, and 0.372% EMS dose for two hours at 32.5 °C). These were planted under rainfed conditions along with untreated controls in a randomised complete block design. Data on time to emergence, emergence percentage, time to heading, number of chloroplast mutants, percentage of sterile plants, time to flowering, time to maturity, number of seeds per head, plant height, thousand seed mass and plot yield was recorded. Treatment with EMS treatment significantly delayed phenology, reduced plant height, yield and yield related parameters. Observation of chloroplast mutants confirmed EMS mutagenesis in vernonia. Harvested mutants will be used in further breeding programmes to address agronomic challenges in vernonia.
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