The Effect of Different Doses of the Chemical Mutagen EMS on Morphological, Physiological, Productivity, and Quality Traits of the Soybean Genotype Sb 239 (Glycine max L. Merr.)

Abstract

Genotypic soybean seeds of the Glycine max Sb 239 variety, obtained from the Agricultural Scientific Research Authority in Damascus, were subjected to mutagenesis using the chemical mutagen EMS (ethyl methane sulfonate) at concentrations of
0.1, 0.2, 0.3, and 0.4) % v/v. This study aimed to determine the optimal EMS concentration and its effect on certain morphological, physiological, yield, and quality traits of the soybean crop. The objective is to develop new varieties with high yield. Early flowering and maturity for use in subsequent breeding programs. The mutated seeds were planted in permanent fields in the Damsarkho area of Latakia during the 2024–2025 growing season. By designing completely randomized blocks with three replicates in the second generation, the descriptive statistical analysis and variance were performed using appropriate statistical software (SPSS20).

The results indicated that the chemical mutagen EMS is effective in inducing mutations in soybeans across the concentrations studied, with a concentration of 0.1% v/v being the most effective for most of traits studied. A gradual decrease in the values of most traits was observed as treatment concentrations increased (0.2, 0.3, and 0.4)% v/v, particularly in yield, yield components, and protein content in the selected plants.