Effect of Mutagens on Morphological Characters of Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.)

Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) is one of the oldest medicinal plants, originating in India and Northern Africa. An annual plant, fenugreek grows to an average height of two feet. The leaves and seeds, which mature in long pods, are used to prepare extracts or powders for medicinal use. In recent time mutagen have become important tools in crop improvement. These mutagens are being used to produce resistance in various susptible crops to improve their yield and quality trait against harmful pathogens. In the present work, two different mutagenic agents viz., physical i.e. UV radiation and chemical i.e. ethidium bromide of various doses were used and seeds were also treated with both mutagens. Total 10 parameters were observed and compared with control. The screening for best mutagen was done by comparing these 10 parameters, it is clear from the obtained data that the seed treated with ethidium bromide showed better result than seed treated with ultra violet radiation and both ethidium bromide and UV.