Abstract
Sesame is an important oilseed crop cultivated in Ethiopia as a cash crop for small holder farmers. However, low yield is one of the main constraints of its cultivation. Boosting and sustaining production of sesame is thus timely to achieve the global oil demand. This study was, therefore, aimed at identifying mutant genotypes targeted to produce better agronomic traits of M2 lines on fourteen Ethiopian sesame genotypes through seed treatment with chemical mutagens. EMS was used as a chemical mutagen to treat the fourteen sesame genotypes. Quantitative and qualitative data were recorded and analyzed using analysis of variance with GenStat 16 software. Post-ANOVA mean comparisons were made using Duncan's Multiple Range Test (p≤ 0.01). Statistically significant phenotypic changes were observed in both quantitative and qualitative agronomic traits of the M2 lines. All mutant genotypes generated by EMS treatment showed a highly significant variation for the measured quantitative traits, except for the traits LBL and LTL. On the other hand, EMS-treated genotypes showed a significant change for the qualitative traits, except for PGT, BP, SSCS, LC, LH and LA traits. Mutated Baha Necho, Setit 3, and Zeri Tesfay showed the most promising changes in desirable agronomic traits. To the best of our knowledge, this study represents the first report on the treatment of sesame seeds with EMS to generate desirable agronomic traits in Ethiopian sesame genotypes. These findings would deliver an insight into the genetic characteristics and variability of important sesame agronomic traits. Besides, the findings set up a foundation for future genomic studies in sesame agronomic traits, which would serve as genetic resources for sesame improvement.