Effect of chemical mutagen EMS (Ethyl methane sulfonate) on growth and phytochemical response of bara chilli variety (capsicum frutescens var. bara)

Increasing productivity of chilli (Capsicum frutescens var. bara) can be done through genetic variation using EMS (Ethyl Methane Sulfonate) as a chemical mutagen. This study was conducted to determine the effect of EMS on growth, productivity and phytochemical content of chilli var. Bara. The seeds were soaked in water for 3 h; the seeds were immersed in EMS solution with the solution treatment of 0.5, 1, 1.5 and 2% for 6 h. Measured growth parameters were seed viability, plant height, root length and phytochemical parameters (carotenoid and vitamin C content). The results showed that EMS influenced growth and phytochemical parameters, EMS 1% increased plant height and root length and EMS 1.5 and 2% increased germination. EMS for all concentrations decreased carotenoid and vitamin C content.