University of Lethbridge Research Repository OPUS http://opus.uleth.ca Theses Arts and Science, Faculty of 2011 Identification of high seed yielding and stable fenugreek mutants Prasad, Rajib Lethbridge, Alta. : University of Lethbridge, Dept. of Biological Sciences, c2011 http://hdl.handle.net/10133/3118 Downloaded from University of Lethbridge Research Repository, OPUS IDENTIFICATION OF HIGH SEED YIELDING AND STABLE FENUGREEK MUTANTS RAJIB PRASAD M. Sc. Biotechnology, Bangladesh Agricultural University A Thesis Submitted to the School of Graduate Studies of the University of Lethbridge in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree MASTER OF SCIENCE Department of Biological Sciences University of Lethbridge LETHBRIDGE, ALBERTA, CANADA November, 2011 © Rajib Prasad, 2011 Abstract Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) was recently introduced to western Canada as a forage crop. To reach its full potential, high yielding, early maturing fenugreek cultivars that produce good seed yield and quality within 100 frost free days need to be developed. In this study, mutation breeding approach was used on five locally adapted fenugreek genotypes to generate variants showing improved seed yield and yield attributing traits that can be used for cultivar development. Mutant generations of these plants were evaluated in multi-location, multi-year trials, and individual plants were selected for high seed and biomass yield. Seeds from a tetraploid fenugreek line and its diploid parent Tristar were grown under multiple environments to understand effect of environment on seed oil content. In addition, mold resistant fenugreek genotypes were identified by screening a collection of fenugreek accessions against a destructive fungal pathogen Cercospora traversiana. iii Dedication To my Parents. iv Table of Contents Chapter One: Introduction .......................................................................................... 01 1.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................. 01 1.2 Background ............................................................................................................. 07 1.2.1 Taxonomy of Fenugreek ..................................................................................... 07 1.2.2 Origin and centre of diversity of fenugreek ...................................................... 08 1.2.3 Regions of cultivation .......................................................................................... 09 1.2.4 Biological and morphological features of fenugreek ........................................ 12 1.2.5 Agronomic aspects of fenugreek ........................................................................ 15 1.2.5.1 Environment and soil ....................................................................................... 17 1.2.5.2 Seeding and seed rate ....................................................................................... 17 1.2.5.3 Cultural practices ............................................................................................. 18 1.2.6 Diseases and pests of fenugreek ........................................................................ 23 1.2.7 Uses ....................................................................................................................... 25 1.2.7.1 Ancient use of fenugreek ................................................................................. 25 1.2.7.2 Fenugreek as a spice ........................................................................................ 25 1.2.7.3 Fenugreek uses for remedy and medicinal purposes ................................... 26 1.2.7.4 Fenugreek as animal food ............................................................................... 28 1.2.7.5 Agricultural and others uses .......................................................................... 29 1.2.8 Improvement of fenugreek ................................................................................ 31 1.2.8.1 Selection ........................................................................................................... 31 1.2.8.2 Hybridization .................................................................................................. 33 1.2.8.3 Mutation breedin ............................................................................................ 34 v Chapter Two: Mutation Breeding .............................................................................. 37 2.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................ 37 2.2 Materials and Methods .......................................................................................... 41 2.2.1 Seed material ....................................................................................................... 41 2.2.2 Treatment with mutagen .................................................................................... 41 2.2.3 Growing M1 plants .............................................................................................. 42 2.2.4 Growing M2 plants .............................................................................................. 42 2.2.5 Growing M3 plants .............................................................................................. 43 2.2.6 Statistical analysis ............................................................................................... 44 2.3 Results ..................................................................................................................... 45 2.4 Discussion ............................................................................................................... 67 Chapter Three: Mutant Evaluation ........................................................................... 71 3.1 Introduction ........................................................................................................... 71 3.2 Materials and Methods ......................................................................................... 73 3.2.1 Seed material ...................................................................................................... 73 3.2.2 Growing environments ...................................................................................... 73 3.2.3 Location parameters .......................................................................................... 74 3.2.4 Experimental design .......................................................................................... 75 3.2.5 Statistical analysis .............................................................................................. 77 3.3 Results .................................................................................................................... 79 3.4 Discussion .............................................................................................................. 94 Chapter Four: Mutant Lines ................................................................................... 101 4.1 Introduction ........................................................................................................ 101 vi 4.2 Materials and Methods .................................................................................... 104 4.2.1 Selected mutant diploid lines ....................................................................... 104 4.2.2 Tetraploid line ............................................................................................... 105 4.2.3 Statistical analysis ........................................................................................ 107 4.3 Results .............................................................................................................. 108 4.3.1 Selected mutant diploid lines ...................................................................... 108 4.3.2 Tetraploid line .............................................................................................. 115 4.4 Discussion ........................................................................................................ 120 Chapter Five: Screening Resistant Fenugreek Genotypes Against Cercospora Leaf Spot Disease. ......................................................................................................... 124 5.1 Introduction .................................................................................................... 124 5.2 Materials and Methods .................................................................................. 127 5.2.1 Plant genotypes ............................................................................................ 127 5.2.2 Culture of pathogenic fungi ....................................................................... 127 5.2.3 Growth chamber experiment .................................................................... 128 5.2.4 Evaluation of seed-borne nature of Cercospora traversiana.................... 131 5.2.5 Morphology of Cercospora traversiana...................................................... 131 5.3 Results ............................................................................................................. 132 5.4 Discussion ....................................................................................................... 144 Chapter Six: Thesis Summary ........................................................................... 148 References ...........................................................................................................