Effects of EMS alone and in combination with DMSO in faba bean

The present study was carried out using ethylmethane sulphonate (EMS) alone or in combination with dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and hydrazine hydrate (HZ) on faba bean (Vicia faba L.). The main objective of this study was to explore the possibility of inducing variability for quantitative traits the in two varieties viz., 05/249 local and 05/233 HBP of faba bean. Various other aspects of this study were; (i) to study biological damage in M1 generation, and (ii) to determine the frequency of morphological variations.M1 generation was studied for such parameters as percentage of seed germination, seedling height, pollen fertility and plant survival at maturity. A depression in seed germination, seedling height and pollen fertility was noted with increasing concentrations of mutagens. Such parameters were drastically affected in the combination treatments than the mutagens used singly in both the varieties. Chromosomes abnormalities, recorded in the present study, involved stickiness, chromatin bridges, fragments and micronuclei. Such anomalies were found to be directly correlated to the concentration of mutagens.