| Induced mutation of Saudi Arabian local variety of
bread wheat. I. Yield and yield components Y.A. AL-SAHEAL and K.H. GAMIL Botany Department, college of science, University of Riyadh Riyadh. Saudi Arabia. Genetic variation is essential for the success of any plant breeding program. These variations can be created by either hybridization or treatment with mutagens. Limitation of variation would be highly influenced with diverse genetic backgrounds of the parental used in crossing. Induced mutations has already proved beneficial for tailoring better variaties of crop plants, especially in seed propagated ones. Significant amounts of induced genetic variations following treatments with chemical and physical mutagens were reported by many investigators (HUSSEIN 1968, GOTTSCHALK 1971, OJOMO & CHHEDA 1972, HUSSEIN & DISOUKI 1976). KASSEM et al. (1976) showed that the chemical mutagen EMS was more effective for creating genetic variability than was the physical ; gamma rays. The present investigation deals with the evaluation of the responses of chemical mutagen, viz Diethyl Sulfate (DS) on 6x local bread wheat variety (Hinta Madeni). Making use of the mutants gain advantages for breeding program orientation and gene fixation aim at improving the yield and yield components. Material and Methods The seeds of hexaploid local wheat variety (Hinta Madeni) obtained from Plant Production Department, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, were treated with different concentrations of diethyl sulfate (DS) at different times as follows:
A sample of 250 seeds in each treatment were soaked in DS dissolved in potassium acid phosphate-sodium hydroxide buffer solution, pH 7.4. The solution was changed every 90 minutes and agitated continually at 20C. The chemically treated seeds after thorough washing were imbeded in jiffy pots for sometimes in the green house for obtaining M1 generation, as well as untreated seeds. After complete germination, the seedlings were transplanted in the field experiment which was designed in a randomized complete block with four replications. Each replicate contains 50 single plants from each treatment sown in two rows ; 5 m long and 30 cm apart. The data of M1 plants were collected on a single plant basis (main tiller) and the seeds were sown in the field for M2 generation. Selection had been made in M2 generation for two types, namely (SS) spike length and number of spikelets per spike ; and (GH) grain yield and harvest index, within each high, medium and low selection levels were taken to establish different genetic make up across the generation. The present investigation deals with variations induced by diethyl sulfate (DS) in yield and yield components of wheat. The experiments were carried out at the Agricultural Experiment Station (Olisha), University of Riyadh. Saudi Arabia during the year 1979-1980. |
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