Ethyl Methane Sulfonate (EMS) Effect on Mutagenesis in Balinese RedRice (Oryza sativa cv. Barak Cenana)

Background and Objectives: “Barak Cenana” is one of the local red rice (Oryza sativa) which has high economic value due to its nutrient content. Some of agronomic characters such as tall shoot, low number of tiller and late harvesting are a drawback to improve it production. Ethyl Methyl sulfonate (EMS) is a chemical mutagen widely used to improve rice characters by mutation breeding. The aims of present research are to investigate the EMS concentration that suitable to induce mutation in Barak Cenana, and observed the mutagenesis effect of EMS on some agronomic characters of Barak Cenana. Materials and Methods: For those purpose, mature seeds of Barak Cenana were treated with various concentrations of EMS (0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1.0 and 1.0 %) for 24 hour. Seed germination, plant growth, some agronomic character related to productivity were compared to untreated rice. Results: EMS reduced and delayed seed germination and inhibit shoot and root growth in early vegetative stage. The ability of EMS to reduce and delay seed germination and inhibit shoot and root growth are doses dependent. EMS concentration more than 1.0% is lethal for Barak Cenana and EMS concentration at 0.75% was able to reduce rice productivity by increasing seed sterility. EMS concentration between 0.25 and 0.5% are suitable for induce mutagenesis in Barak cenana. Conclusion: Some mutants with distinct morphology such as sterile plant, semi-dwarf, and high chlorophyll contents were produced in this research