Cytological effects of EMS treatment on Salvia hispanica L.: Implications for mutation breeding programs

This study examines the cytological effects of chemical mutagen (EMS) treatment. Through cytological investigations across various meiotic phases, we observed that pollen mother cells (PMCs) exhibited desynaptic chromosomes, resulting in an elevated frequency of univalent at metaphase I compared to bivalents. Additionally, a notable increase in pollen sterility was observed in plants with induced desynapsis. These findings offer valuable genetic insights and highlight the potential for aneuploid production in mutation breeding programs. We conducted an analysis at a concentration of 0.4% EMS and observed a range of meiotic and post-meiotic abnormalities that significantly impacted the growth and development of the plant. Notably, we have observed a substantial reduction in normal pollen grain formation, indicating the potential for developing male sterile lines. EMS emerges as a potent mutagen, inducing significant cytological variations across various stages of PMC development. These findings offer valuable insights for plant breeders, facilitating the development of male sterile lines and enabling the manipulation of cytological variation in plant populations.