Optimal concentration of Ethyl Methane Sulfonate for phenotypic variation induction in <i>Phaseolus vulgaris</i> L. cv. 'DOR 364'

Abstract

Common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is the main legume used for human consumption worldwide and is an important objective in breeding programs to favor certain characteristics of agronomic interest. In order to determine the optimal concentration of ethyl methane sulfonate to induce phenotypic variation in Phaseolus vulgaris L. cv. 'DOR 364' a study was carried out. The seeds were treated with different concentrations of ethyl methane sulfonate (0, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60 mM) and seeded in polyethylene bags containing 4 kg of substrate. Evaluations were carried out on variables involved in germination, growth, foliar development, plant morphology as well as yield components. The ethyl methane sulfonate influenced the different stages of development of the culture that were analyzed. Based on germination and plant development, survival, yield components and frequency of phenotypic variations, 30 mM ethyl methane sulfonate was selected as the optimal concentration to establish a population of possible mutants in common bean cv. 'DOR 364'. To date, no previous studies have been reported. With the optimum concentration it was possible to generate the greatest number of phenotypic variations in the analyzed population. Keywords: common bean, morphology, mutation, phenology, yield components