MUTAGENIC EFFECTS OF EMS ON AGRONOMIC TRAITS AND PHYSICOCHEMICAL OIL PROPERTIES OF GROUNDNUT (Arachis hypogaea L.)

Abstract

The monophyletic origin, self-pollination status, and reproductive isolation in groundnut have narrowed its genetic potential and limited new variety development. This research aimed to access variability in morphology, yield, and physicochemical properties of groundnut seed-oil using ethyl methane sulfonateinduced mutagenesis (EMS). An EMS solution was prepared in 100 ml of distilled water at concentrations of 0.10, 0.20, 0.30, and 0.40 %. Three groundnut varieties (SAMNUT 24, SAMNUT 25, and SAMNUT 26) were treated with the different concentrations of EMS and were evaluated following a Complete Randomized Design (CRD) with five replications. Agro-morphological parameters, as well as the physico-chemical properties of oil, were determined following standard procedures. Data collected were subjected to Analysis of Variance and Duncan’s Multiple Range Test was used to separate means with significant difference at P < 0.05. The results reveal significant (p < 0.05) variations, with the 0.1 % EMS concentration producing the highest number of leaves per plant (426.00), leaf area (21.91 cm2), branches per plant (16.00), and pods per plant (24.67). Additionally, it induced mutants with indented leaf morphology in SAMNUT 24. In SAMNUT 25, 0.1 % revealed a significant increase in the number of leaves per plant (337.00), 0.2 % produced mutants with stipule leaf morphology and a striata chlorophyll mutant, while a concentration of 0.3 % revealed xantha leaf mutants. 0.4 % revealed a significant increase in the leaf area (25.01 cm2). Generally, EMS treatment demonstrated a significant increase in all the yield parameters examined, except the number of seeds per plant. In SAMNUT 26, leaf area and hundred-seed weight were increased in EMS-treated plants. EMS treatment also significantly increased the number of pods per plant, except for 0.4 %. A significant decrease was observed in the oil yield of the three varieties, except in SAMNUT 25 treated with 0.2 %. Significant variations were also observed in other physico-chemical properties of the oil. Although some of the variabilities noted are uneconomical, some of the qualities can be used as a source of many beneficial genes in cross-breeding programs