Ahmed Soufi* (1), Majd Darwish (1) and Nizar Moalla(1)
(1). Department of Field Crops, Faculty of Agriculture, Tishreen University, Lattakia, Syria.
(*Corresponding author: Ahmed Soufi, Lattakia, Syria. E-mail: 7mada.movo9@gmail.com).
Received: 20/07/2022 Accepted: 23/10/2022
Abstract:
The research was carried out during the 2021-2022. to study the effect of treatment with the chemical mutagen Ethyl Methane Sulfonate (EMS) in improving the tolerance of two tobacco varieties (Burley 21 and Virginia VK51) to drought stress. The seeds were treated using three concentrations of the mutagen (0, 0.1, 0.5 and 1 %) with a soaking time of (8) hours. In addition, to induce drought stress, polyethylene glycol (PEG) was used at concentrations (15, 30 and 45 %) equivalent to an osmotic pressure (-0.7, -1.4 and -2.1) MPa. To chose the selected plants for the next generation. The experiment was conducted according to a randomized complete block design (RCBD) at the Dimsharko farm of the Faculty of Agricultural Engineering-Tishreen University – Lattakia- Syria. and with three replications per treatment. Some characteristics for treated seeds productivity characteristics (yield of green and dry leaves (kg/acres)) and technological traits (dry leaves thickness (micrometer) and dry leaves material (g/cm2)) were also measured. Treatment with EMS at a low concentration (0.1%) led to an decreased in the dry leaves thickness and dry leaves material and increased yield of green and dry leaves of both tobacco varieties. High concentration of EMS at (0.5 and 1%) caused a increase in the thickness of dry leaves and dry leaves material and decrease yield of green and dry leaves of both tobacco varieties, respectively. The chemical mutagen treatment under drought stress conditions at a low concentration (0.1) %, also improved the values of most of the studied indicators compared to the other treatments. The treatment with PEG, had a negative effects on the dry leaves thickness- dry leaves material and yield of green and dry leaves of both tobacco varieties. Thus, it can be suggested to soak seeds at the concentration (0.1%) EMS for its role in improving on the technological and productive of two tobacco varieties (Berley 21 and Virginia VK51).
Keywords: Ethyl Methane Sulfonate, Burley 21, Virginia VK51, salt stress.
Full paper in Arabic: pdf