The Effect of Chemical Mutagens (Ethyl Methane Sulfonate and Oryzalin) on Germination of Ratna Flowers (Gomphrena Globosa L.)

The results showed that EMS and Oryzalin treatments affected all observed parameters. These two chemical mutagens had an impact on plumule length, radicle length, sprout color changes, germination capacity and percentage of abnormal sprouts. EMS treatment resulted in plumule lengths of 2.8 cm and 2.6 cm in purple and pink genotype, respectively while Oryzalin produced only 1.3 cm for both genotypes. Similarly, for radicle length, EMS resulted in 1.2 cm and 1.3 cm, while Oryzalin yielded only 0.9 cm for both genotypes. This indicates that EMS tended to retain some of the primary growth capacity, whereas Oryzalin significantly inhibited the growth of both the plumule and radicle. In terms of germination capacity, EMS maintained relatively high viability, 85% in the purple genotype and 75% in the pink genotype, while Oryzalin reduced it to 70% in both genotypes. However, the rate of abnormal germination was higher in the Oryzalin treatment at 75% compared to EMS at 60-65%. These findings indicate that EMS and Oryzalin mutagens are capable to induce random mutations that affect early growth processes, starting from the germination stage.