WIRDHATUL MUSLIHATIN* AND ANDRIYANI
Laboratory of Bioscience and Plant Technology, Biology Department, Faculty of Science and Data Analytic,
Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember, Surabaya, Indonesia
*(e-mail : wirdhabioits@gmail.com; Mobile : 62 81231481502)
ABSTRACT
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.
Key words : Chilli var. Bara, EMS, mutagen, growth, phytochemical content