Effects of different doses of ems (ethyl methane sulfonate) on M1 and M2 plants in aspir

The study was carried out in greenhouse and laboratory conditions at the research area of Dicle University Faculty of Agriculture in the 2021-2022 and 2022-2023 growing seasons as a result of ethyl methane sulfonate (EMS) applied to safflower seeds at doses of 0, 25, 50 and 75% in the M1 generation and 0, 25 and 50% in the M2 generation. In the study carried out in the winter season for two years, Dinçer, Yektay and Balcı safflower varieties used as material were provided by the Geçit Kuşağı Agricultural Research Institute and Olas, Linas and Asol varieties were provided by the Trakya Agricultural Research Institute. The study was carried out to determine the effects of different doses of ethyl methane sulfonate (EMS) chemical mutagen applied to the seeds of 6 different safflower varieties on some agronomic characteristics in the M1 and M2 generations. It was determined that increasing doses of applied EMS chemical mutagen decreased the emergence rate in laboratory, greenhouse and field conditions. At the same time, the mortality rate of plants increased in M1 and M2 generations. Flowering day duration was not affected by increasing mutagen doses in both generations. In control plants, plants with superior characteristics were obtained compared to plants applied with mutation. When the mutant plants obtained in M2 generation were examined; while no dwarf plants were detected except for tallness, plant height decreased significantly as the doses increased in M2 generation. When M1 and M2 generations were examined, the highest variation was seen in the first branch height. It was seen that branching started from very low in both generations and in some plants, the first branching was in regions close to the top. Apart from the first branch height, the number of seeds in the tray in M1 generation was 31.72 in Asol control application, while the number of seeds in the tray was 13.32 in EMS application, a decrease of approximately 60% was detected. Thorny plants were seen in Dinçer variety and variations were also seen in thorniness. In addition, differences were observed in flower color. The effect of mutagens was found to be significant in the examined traits and it was determined that negative and positive variations occurred. As a result of the research, it was determined that mutagen applications can be made to seeds to increase variability and genetic diversity in safflower plants. In the literature reviewed, it was seen that chemical mutagens cause mutation rather than physical mutagens. In order to obtain genetic variation in safflower, chemical mutagens can be used, and with the mutant plants obtained, the continuation of the qualities in the coming years and the registration of new varieties and lines, and also this thesis will contribute to the literature since there are very few studies on EMS mutagen in safflower in Turkey. Keywords: Safflower, EMS, Ethyl Methane Sulfonate, Mutation, Mutagen