The effects of Diethylsulphate on some quantitative traits of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill)

Abstract

Seeds of three varieties of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill) T106, T244 and T420 obtained from the Institute for Agricultural Research, A.B.U Zaria, were treated with Diethylsulphate (DES) at concentrations of 10, 15 and 30 mM with the aim of determining the effective concentration of the mutagen capable of inducing beneficial mutants in tomato. Highly significant differences (P<0.01) were observed in the varieties and treatment with respect to the traits studied. Seed
germination, root length, height at maturity, number of branches per plants, and number of fruits per plant decreased with increase in mutagen concentration. Interactions between variety and concentrations were also highly significant (P<0.01) with respect to germination percentage, root length, seedling survival, height at maturity and number of branches per plant. In general variety T106 showed maximum performance when compared to T244 and T420. The highest number of fruits among the mutants was recorded in variety T244 at 30mM. DES therefore is an effective agent in tomato mutagenesis and 30 mM concentration could be used to induce variability that could be utilized for the improvement of tomato and other related economic crops.

Keywords: Diethylsulphate, chemical mutagens, mutagenesis, tomato, economic crops.