Y. S. SEKHI*, Z. K. KADHIM AND A. H. HAMAD
Department of Horticulture and Landscape, College of Agriculture, University of Anbar, 31001, Anbar, Iraq
*(e-mail: yassirsayel@uoanbar.edu.iq; Mobile : 07800597553)
(Received: July 2, 2022; Accepted: August 4, 2022)
ABSTRACT
In vitro experiment was carried out in the tissue culture laboratory of the Department of Horticulture
and Landscaping, University of Anbar. This study showed the effect of four concentrations of the chemical
stimulator sodium azide (SA) (0, 1, 2, 3 mmol) under four levels of water stress polyethylene glycol
(PEG), that included (0, 0.6 and 0.9 and 1.2%). This study included phenotypic traits such as number of
leaves, number of branching, plant height, the concentration of proline, catalase and hydrogen peroxide
of strawberry plants in vitro. A factorial experiment was carried out using the CRD design with five
replicates. The results showed that the concentration of 2 mmol of sodium azide was superior for the
number of leaves (14.00 leaves/planlet), the number of branches (3.92 branches/plantlet) and the height
of the plant (1.61 cm). However, the concentration of 3 mmol of sodium azide chemical mutagen gave
2.56 mg/g of proline, 0.69 µmol 100/mg d.w. of hydrogen peroxide and 19.91 AU/min/g of catalase
enzyme. Moreover, the level of 0.6% polyethylene glycol improved the number of leaves and branches
(12.00 leaves/planlet and 3.42 branches/plantlet). The concentration of 0.9% of polyethylene glycol
increased proline by 2.43 mg/g and catalase enzyme by 19.59 AU/min/g.
Key words : Strawberry, sodium azide, polyethylene glycol, in vitro, chemical mutation