Faba bean (Vicia faba L.) is one of the most important legume crops worldwide because of its multiple uses and ability to grow over a wide range of climatic conditions. The presented study aimed to determine the efficiency of ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS) and sodium azide (SA) concentrations on two faba bean cultivars. Two field experiments during the crop seasons of 2019–2020 and 2020–2021 took place at Cairo University, Giza, Egypt. Genetically pure, uniform, dry, and dormant seeds of the faba bean cultivars Cairo-4 and Nubaria-1 received three different doses of EMS (0.05%, 0.10%, and 0.15%) and SA (1500, 3000, and 4500 ppm). The results indicated EMS was more effective in inducing mutation than the SA. The mutagenic effectiveness appeared to be better with higher concentrations of both mutagens (EMS and SA). The possible reason for the decrease in mutagenic effectiveness indicated an association with a decreased concentration of both mutagens, which also revealed a less damaging effect.
Faba bean (V. faba L.), ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS), sodium azide (SA), mutation, performance, yield components
The EMS with a higher concentration proved more effective in inducing mutation than the SA in the faba bean (V. faba L.). The optimal doses of mutagens are crucial for enhancing the frequency of desirable mutations and minimizing undesirable ones in faba bean breeding programs.