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• Use of ethyl methane sulfonate (EMS) changed the growth traits of fenugreek. • Use of EMS changed the morpho-physiological traits of fenugreek. • The maximum value of growth traits was attained in 0.2 % of EMS. • The nicotinic acid, trigonline and diosgenin content increased with the use of EMS. Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) is a member of the Fabaceae family which is an annual, dicotyledonous and self-pollinated plant. Since genetic diversity is the basis of plant breeding programs, it is important to create genetic mutations in order to increase diversity. To induce mutation, this experiment was conducted by applying four levels (0.1, 0.2, 0.3, and 0.4 %) of ethyl methane sulfonate (EMS) on fenugreek seeds. The treated seeds were planted in the research greenhouse on basis of randomized complete block design with three replications. The results showed that different EMS concentrations had significant effect on all the studied characteristics. The lowest values of the studied traits were observed in the control. Although the highest values of most morpho-physiological traits were obtained in 0.2 % of EMS, but the highest amount of phytochemical compounds were related higher concentrations of EMS. The content of trigonelline, diosgenin, nicotinic acid, and mucilage of grain were significantly increased with increasing EMS concentration. The highest and lowest contents of grains trigonelline were obtained in 0.3 % of EMS and control treatment, respectively. The nicotinic acid content had a positive and significant correlation with trigonelline, diosgenin and mucilage content. Also, the diosgenin content of grains had a positive significant correlation with mucilage content. In general, the application of sufficient concentrations of EMS mutants could be used as an effective tool to increase grain yield and secondary metabolites in breeding programs of fenugreek. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Gamma irradiation improved the growth characteristics of fenugreek plants. • The seed yield was increased by low dose (100 Gy) gamma rays. • Trigonelline content increased in the plants raised from low dose irradiated seeds. • Low dose gamma rays application can be a useful seed pre-sowing technique. Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.), an aromatic and spice herb, is extensively used to treat a wide range of diseases such as paralysis and diabetes. In order to improve fenugreek growth and pro-health potential, seeds of fenugreek were exposed to gamma rays (including 0, 100, 200, 300 and 400 g) from cobalt 60 gamma radiation source. This experiment was arranged in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. Results showed that, number of leaves per plants, shoot diameter, stems dry weight, leaf dry weight, shoot dry weight, number of pods per plant, 1000-seeds weight and biological yield in plants exposed to different doses of gamma radiation were significantly higher than those of the non-irradiated control. In addition, low-dose gamma irradiation especially 100 Gy had stimulatory effects on the number of branches per plant, pod length, seed yield, seed trigonelline and nicotinic acid content, while high-dose gamma irradiation (400 Gy) exhibited inhibitory effects. Furthermore, the maximum amounts of seeds diosgenin and mucilage were recorded in the control samples, while those of the samples exposed to gamma irradiation were gradually decreased by increment of gamma dose. These results indicate that the irradiation of low dose gamma rays (100 Gy) can be useful for improving the growth characteristics and accumulation of some valuable compounds in fenugreek seeds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]