Augmenting the genetic base in pea (Pisum sativum L.)

Abstract

In Argentina, pea is cultivated predominantly in Buenos Aires and Santa Fe provinces. Market requirement and decrease of the grown area caused a severe reduction of the genetic diversity in this species. To reverse this, mutagenesis was proved as a tool to generate new and superior genotypes. The aim of this study was determine the ability of chemic mutagens to generate genetic variability. Seeds of two varieties (Sprut and Eric II) were imbibed in water overnight Then were treated with Ethyl Methane Sulfonate (EMS) 4 mM for 5 h at room temperature and decontaminated whit sodium tiosulphate 0.2 M. Plants obtained were harvested and seeds of each plant sowed as a family progeny. To determine the mutagen effect, six quantitative traits were evaluated: number of pods, seeds per plot, seeds per pod, weight of 100 seeds; days to flowering and yield. Furthermore, molecular markers, SRAP (Sequence-Related Amplified Polymorphism) were used. Gels were stained with AgNO3 and SRAP fragments were scored as present or absent. Cluster analysis was performed with morphological and molecular data. Three molecular clusters and four morphological clusters were obtained for Sprut and four molecular clusters and three morphological clusters for Erik II. The consensus between both data was 53 and 71%, respectively. Through mutagenesis, new genotypes were generated in both cultivars by EMS action, extending their genetic bases and facilitating new cultivar obtainment. © 2007 Asian Network for Scientific Information.