Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

This paper describes the screening of useful mutant lines of German chamomile using mutation techniques. The promising mutant lines seem very useful for essential oil production, and the stability of mutant phenotype is well confirmed in M3 and M4 generation. Particularly, mutant screening suitable for mechanical harvesting is interesting to me. In general, the manuscript is well written, however the following points need to be considered before publication.

 

Line 103: The three populations (Fa, Be and Me) should be defined here. Also, I suggest to describe the reason why the authors chose those three populations.

Line 107-111: I think the content of this paragraph is redundant and unnecessary.

Line 113: I suggest to describe the method for mutagen treatment briefly, because the Materials & Methods section is placed after Discussion section. Also, describe the survival rate of the treated seeds, so that the readers can understand the strength of mutagen treatment.

Line 123: The population size of M2 (Total number of plants) should be described in this section, otherwise the readers cannot understand the absolute value of the mutation frequency.

Line 132: “the fourth mutant” should be specified by the mutant ID.

Line 137: It seems NO data is shown for “cut efficiency percentage” of M2 plants.

Table 2, 3 and 4: Indicate the meaning of green color in a footnote. Indicate the meaning of superscript letters in Table 2. Not only doses but also the types of mutagen should be shown in Table 2 and 3 (for example, G100 and SA0.001). Define the abbreviation of “LRT” and “RT” in a footnote of Table 4.

Figure 1B: “d” of the “Second cut” is missing.

Line 219-222: Meaning is unclear to me. “high sensitivity” of what? What is the difference between “genetic instability” and mutation? “individual changes” of what? Could you cite some paper regarding the fact that the individual changes are frequently tolerated by a well-organized co-adapted gene complex?

Line 243: What is the “minor deficits”?

 

Author Response

Response to Reviewer 1 Comments

Manuscript ID: plants-1969401

Manuscript Title: Promising mutations for mechanical harvesting, high flowers yield and essential oil content in German chamomile (Matricaria recutita L.) using physical and chemical mutagenesis

We are very glad that Reviewer 1 highly evaluated our manuscript, and provided constructive comments and valuable suggestions that have helped us further improvement of the quality of our manuscript. All the changes made in response to the Reviewer 1 comments were corrected as track changes in the revised manuscript. We have addressed all of your queries and improved our manuscript following your suggestions as you can see in our point-to-point responses to your comments below.

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

This paper describes the screening of useful mutant lines of German chamomile using mutation techniques. The promising mutant lines seem very useful for essential oil production, and the stability of mutant phenotype is well confirmed in M3 and M4 generation. Particularly, mutant screening suitable for mechanical harvesting is interesting to me. In general, the manuscript is well written, however the following points need to be considered before publication.

Line 103: The three populations (Fa, Be and Me) should be defined here. Also, I suggest to describe the reason why the authors chose those three populations.

Response: Done accordingly

Line 107-111: I think the content of this paragraph is redundant and unnecessary.

Response: Done accordingly

Line 113: I suggest to describe the method for mutagen treatment briefly, because the Materials & Methods section is placed after Discussion section. Also, describe the survival rate of the treated seeds, so that the readers can understand the strength of mutagen treatment.

Response: Done accordingly

 

Line 123: The population size of M2 (Total number of plants) should be described in this section, otherwise the readers cannot understand the absolute value of the mutation frequency.

Response: Done accordingly (a great note. Many thanks)

Line 132: “the fourth mutant” should be specified by the mutant ID.

Response: Done accordingly

Line 137: It seems NO data is shown for “cut efficiency percentage” of M2 plants.

Response: Done accordingly Table S2 was added

Table 2, 3 and 4: Indicate the meaning of green color in a footnote. Indicate the meaning of superscript letters in Table 2. Not only doses but also the types of mutagen should be shown in Table 2 and 3 (for example, G100 and SA0.001).

Response: Done accordingly

Define the abbreviation of “LRT” and “RT” in a footnote of Table 4.

Response: Done accordingly

Figure 1B: “d” of the “Second cut” is missing.

Response: Done accordingly

Line 219-222: Meaning is unclear to me. “high sensitivity” of what? What is the difference between “genetic instability” and mutation? “individual changes” of what? Could you cite some paper regarding the fact that the individual changes are frequently tolerated by a well-organized co-adapted gene complex?

Response: Done accordingly (Thanks to the reviewer for his/her care about the quality of the article- this part is deleted)

Line 243: What is the “minor deficits”?

Response: Done accordingly (minor effects or minor alterations) deficits is a mistake it was corrected.

 

Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Reviewer 2 Report

Dear author(s),

The following points should clearly be corrected and addressed for readers:

 

Title

1.   L2-4, short title will be better than the present title of manuscript (mn).

 1. “Improvement of German chamomile (Matricaria recutita L.) using mutagenesis”, or

 2. “Improvement of German chamomile (Matricaria recutita L.) for mechanical harvesting, high flowers yield and essential oil content using mutagenesis”.

2.     As an alternative suggestion, at least, change “mutations” to “mutants” in title.

 

Abstract

3.     L27, all kind of researchers will read your mn and some of them have not enough knowledge about chamomile. Thus, you should give more information for readers on usage of the plant. Which organs are used? Flowers, leaves, seeds, or whole plant??? What is the importance of the study? The first sentence in “Abstract” should be explained these questions?

 

Flowers of German chamomile (Matricaria recutita L.), one of the most important medicinal plants, is used for various applications. Essential improvement goals of chamomile are considered to be high flowers yield and oil content, and suitable for mechanical harvest as well. Aims of the present study were improved for flower yield, oil content and mechanical harvestable of German chamomile via chemical and physical mutagens.

4.     L32, remove “GC-MS analysis method was used to identify the oil composition of the promising mutants.” Readers can see details of oil detection protocol in M&M.

5.     L34 and 37, M3 and M4 should be written properly (as M₃ and M₄). That is numbers should be subcritical written.

 

Keywords

6.   L47, keywords could be ordered for their importance or alphabetically. Scientific name could be written as Matricaria recutita.

 

Introduction

7.   L62, Scientific name (Matricaria recutita L.) could be written after German chamomile.

8.   L69, a new paragraph should be used after “Unfortunately, ….”

9.   L93, check sentence.

 

Results

10.           L107, delete the first sentence. You have already mentioned aim of the study.

11.           L109, please be aware of mutations and mutants. As you know, mutation is created by mutagens but mutant is an individual plant as a result of mutation. Change mutations to mutants.

12.           L112, subtitles must be compatible. M2 populations but M3 and M4 mutants.

13.           L113, I do not understand this sentence. Did you mean “Various morphological mutations were found in three M2 populations?” Please use clear and understandable sentences.

14.  Please read “Spectrum and frequency of induced mutations in chickpea”. http://oar.icrisat.org/1200/

15.  L12, a blank before high

16.  L124, change have to had

17.  L127, change during to in and M2 to M₂

18.  L129, change M2 to M₂

19.  L129, correct flowers’… as fresh weight of flowers per plant. Others, too.

20.  L138, change M2 to M₂

21.  L141, I strongly suggest that passive sentence should be preferred.

22.  L146, L129, change M3 to M₃

23.  L156, change very important to desirable

24.  L161, change M3 to M₃

25.  L170, change M3 to M₃

26.  In Table 2, delete “plant”. You have already detailed traits studied in M&M.

27.  In Table 2, change Number of flowers/branches to No flowers, No branches

28.  In Table 2, use bracket as (%).

29.  In Table 2, LSD can be removed since you gave SE or SD. Please explain them SE or SD.

30.  L174, change M4 to M₄

31.  L175, change M3 to M₃

32.  L180, change theresults to The results

33.  L186, change % to (%)

34.  In Fig 1, change % to (%)

35.  L189-190, change M3/M4 to M₃/M₄

36.  L194, L170, change M4 to M₄

37.  In Table 3, please consider my suggestions in Table 2.

38.  In Table 3, letters, LSD and SE. One of them is enough for readers.

39.  L199, change M4 to M₄

40.  L205, a blank before a new sentence.

41.  L224, blank after words

42.  L228, change figure 2 to Figure 2.

43.  In Fig 2, photos could be close up.

44.  L234, change M4 to M₄

45.   

 

Discussion

46.  L245-246, delete g, cm, % and mm

47.  L247, change M2 to M₂

48.  L258, change M2 to M₂

49.  L259-260, et al. and et al. were not written as italic.

50.  L260, change Mungo to mungo. Write common name of plants.

51.  L263, Vigna should be italicized.

52.  L276-281, Blanks between words.

53.  L281, correct Lal, to Lal

 

M&M

54.           L301, change Plants to plant.

55.           L305, please provide longitude, latitude and altitude of the location.

56.           L307, change withgamma to with gamma.

57.           L308 provide chemical formula of sodium azide as (NaNO₃).

58.           L309, change “Gamma radiation” to Physical mutagen”

59.           L311, CO⁶⁰ or Co⁶⁰, change Co⁶⁰ to Co⁶⁰

60.           L313, change “Chemical mutagen: sodium azide (SA)” to “Chemical mutagen”

61.           L318, correct subtitle as Agronomic practices and data collection

62.           L319, a blank before the irradiated, ….

63.           L321-323, it is meaningless to sow and grew of M1 and M2 generations in the replicated trials. M1 and M2 are similar to F1 (genetically heterozygous but phenotypically homogeny) and F2 (segregations). Your results will not be affected due to unnecessary experiments. Please delete or remove this sentence and correct the related sentences in the whole text.

64.           L324-325, readers want to see irrigation quantity and irrigation system. Following paper (https://doi.org/10.3390/ agronomy12030557) can be read for detailed information. If it is suitable, it can be used as a reference.

65.           L325, routine managements should be explained. Weed control, fertilization etc.

66.           L327, replication is unnecessary, please delete again….

67.           L336, which generation was data collected in?

68.           L328, change M1 to M₁

69.           L330, the selected M2 plants in M3 can be grown in RCBD with replication. It is possible for later generations, too.

70.           L335-336, delete M2 and correct the sentence.

71.           L337, change “flowers’ weight of flowers/plant” to fresh weight of flowers per plant. Please correct others.

72.           L339, change % to (%)

73.           L346, correct subtitle as Essential oil content or Essential oil analyses since analysis is more than one.

74.           L347-349, check the sentence and please write clearly.

75.           L348, change M3 to M₃

76.           L352, M4 selected mutants??? What does it mean? Did you continue selection in M4? Or Did you select mutants in M2 and then sow mutants as M4? Please explain this important detail in here and Diagram 1.  

77.           L357, delete : and change analysis to analyses because there was more than one analysis.

78.           L358, change have been to were

 

Diagram

79.  M0, it means mutant or mutated zero. This sound meaningless. Irradiated seeds is better. Selection should be started in M2 and continued in M3. Change % to (%).

 

Conclusions

80.  L372, change M2 to M₂

81.  L373-374, delete g, cm, % and mm

82.  L375, change M3 to M₃

83.   L247, change M2 to M₂

84.  L277, change M4 to M₄

85.  L380, A conclusion sentence should be written for readers about mutation breeding on chamomile.

Comments for author File: Comments.docx

Author Response

Response to Reviewer 2 Comments

Manuscript ID: plants-1969401

Manuscript Title: Promising mutations for mechanical harvesting, high flowers yield and essential oil content in German chamomile (Matricaria recutita L.) using physical and chemical mutagenesis

We are very thankful for the great scientist (Reviewer 2) who highly evaluated our manuscript, and provided constructive comments and valuable suggestions that have helped us further improvement of the quality of our manuscript. All the changes made in response to the Reviewer 1 comments were corrected as track changes in the revised manuscript. We have addressed all of your queries and improved our manuscript following your suggestions as you can see in our point-to-point responses to your comments below.

Dear author(s),

The following points should clearly be corrected and addressed for readers:

 

Title

1. L2-4, short title will be better than the present title of manuscript (mn).
2. “Improvement of German chamomile (MatricariarecutitaL.) using mutagenesis”, or
3. “Improvement of German chamomile (MatricariarecutitaL.) for mechanical harvesting, high flowers yield and essential oil content using mutagenesis”.
4. As an alternative suggestion, at least, change “mutations” to “mutants” in title.

Response: Done accordingly

Abstract

3. L27, all kind of researchers will read your mn and some of them have not enough knowledge about chamomile. Thus, you should give more information for readers on usage of the plant. Which organs are used? Flowers, leaves, seeds, or whole plant??? What is the importance of the study? The first sentence in “Abstract” should be explained these questions?

Flowers of German chamomile (MatricariarecutitaL.), one of the most important medicinal plants, is used for various applications. Essential improvement goals of chamomile are considered to be high flowers yield and oil content, and suitable for mechanical harvest as well. Aims of the present study wereimproved for flower yield, oil content and mechanical harvestable of German chamomile via chemical and physical mutagens.

Response: Done accordingly (thank you so much for positive suggestions)

4. L32, remove “GC-MS analysis method was used to identify the oil composition of the promising mutants.” Readers can see details of oil detection protocol in M&M.

Response: Done accordingly

5. L34 and 37, M3 and M4 should be written properly (as M₃ and M₄). That is numbers should be subcritical written.

Response: Done accordingly

Keywords

6. L47, keywords could be ordered for their importance or alphabetically.Scientific name could be written as Matricariarecutita.

Response: Done accordingly

Introduction

7. L62, Scientific name (Matricariarecutita) could be written after German chamomile.

Response: Done accordingly

8. L69, a new paragraph should be used after “Unfortunately, ….”

Response: Done accordingly

9. L93, check sentence.

Response: Done accordingly

Results

10. L107, delete the first sentence. You have already mentioned aim of the study.

Response: Done accordingly

11. L109, please be aware of mutations and mutants. As you know, mutation is created by mutagens but mutant is an individual plant as a result of mutation. Change mutations to mutants.
12. L112, subtitles must be compatible. M2 populations but M3 and M4 mutants.
13. L113, I do not understand this sentence. Did you mean “Various morphological mutations were found in three M2 populations?”Please use clear and understandable sentences.

Response: Done accordingly

14. Please read “Spectrum and frequency of induced mutations in chickpea”. http://oar.icrisat.org/1200/

Response: Done accordingly

15. L12, a blank before high

Response: Done accordingly

16. L124, change have to had

Response: Done accordingly

17. L127, change during to in and M2 to M₂

Response: Done accordingly

18. L129, change M2 to M₂

Response: Done accordingly

19. L129, correct flowers’… as fresh weight of flowers per plant. Others, too.

Response: Done accordingly

20. L138, change M2 to M₂

Response: Done accordingly

21. L141, I strongly suggest that passive sentence should be preferred.

Response: Done accordingly

22. L146, L129, change M3 to M₃

Response: Done accordingly

23. L156, change very important to desirable

Response: Done accordingly

24. L161, change M3 to M₃

Response: Done accordingly

25. L170, change M3 to M₃

Response: Done accordingly

26. In Table 2, delete “plant”. You have already detailed traits studied in M&M.

Response: Done accordingly

27. In Table 2, change Number of flowers/branches to No flowers, No branches

Response: Done accordingly

28. In Table 2, use bracket as (%).

Response: Done accordingly

29. In Table 2, LSD can be removed since you gave SE or SD. Please explain them SE or SD.

Response: Done accordingly

30. L174, change M4 to M₄

Response: Done accordingly

31. L175, change M3 to M₃

Response: Done accordingly

32. L180, change theresults to The results

Response: Done accordingly

33. L186, change % to (%)

Response: Done accordingly

34. In Fig 1, change % to (%)

Response: Done accordingly

35. L189-190, change M3/M4 to M₃/M₄

Response: Done accordingly

36. L194, L170, change M4 to M₄

Response: Done accordingly

37. In Table 3, please consider my suggestions in Table 2.

Response: Done accordingly

38. In Table 3, letters, LSD and SE. One of them is enough for readers.

Response: Done accordingly

39. L199, change M4 to M₄

Response: Done accordingly

40. L205, a blank before a new sentence.

Response: Done accordingly

41. L224, blank after words

Response: Done accordingly

42. L228, change figure 2 to Figure 2.

Response: Done accordingly

43. In Fig 2, photos could be close up.

Response: Done accordingly

44. L234, change M4 to M₄

Response: Done accordingly

 

Discussion

45. L245-246, delete g, cm, % and mm

Response: Done accordingly

46. L247, change M2 to M₂

Response: Done accordingly

47. L258, change M2 to M₂

Response: Done accordingly

48. L259-260, et al. and et al. were not written as italic.

Response: Done accordingly

49. L260, change Mungo to mungo. Write common name of plants.

Response: Done accordingly

50. L263, Vigna should be italicized.

Response: Done accordingly

51. L276-281, Blanks between words.

Response: Done accordingly

52. L281, correct Lal, to Lal

Response: Done accordingly

 

M&M

53. L301, change Plants to plant.

Response: Done accordingly

54. L305, please provide longitude, latitude and altitude of the location.

Response: Done accordingly

55. L307, change withgamma to with gamma.

Response: Done accordingly

56. L308 provide chemical formula of sodium azide as (NaNO₃).

Response: Done accordingly

57. L309, change “Gamma radiation” to Physical mutagen”

Response: Done accordingly

58. L311, CO⁶⁰ or Co⁶⁰, change Co⁶⁰ to Co⁶⁰

Response: Done accordingly

59. L313, change “Chemical mutagen: sodium azide (SA)” to “Chemical mutagen”

Response: Done accordingly

60. L318, correct subtitle as Agronomic practices and data collection

Response: Done accordingly

61. L319, a blank before the irradiated, ….

Response: Done accordingly

62. L321-323, it is meaningless to sow and grew of M1 and M2 generations in the replicated trials. M1 and M2 are similar to F1 (genetically heterozygous but phenotypically homogeny) and F2 (segregations). Your results will not be affected due to unnecessary experiments. Please delete or remove this sentence and correct the related sentences in the whole text.

Response: Done accordingly

63. L324-325, readers want to see irrigation quantity and irrigation system. Following paper (https://doi.org/10.3390/ agronomy12030557) can be read for detailed information.If it is suitable, it can be used as a reference.

Response: Done accordingly

64. L325, routine managements should be explained. Weed control, fertilization etc.

Response: Done accordingly

65. L327, replication is unnecessary, please delete again….

Response: Done accordingly

66. L336, which generation was data collected in?

Response: Done accordingly

67. L328, change M1 to M₁

Response: Done accordingly

68. L330, the selected M2 plants in M3 can be grown in RCBD with replication. It is possible for later generations, too.

Response: Done accordingly

69. L335-336, delete M2 and correct the sentence.

Response: Done accordingly

70. L337, change “flowers’ weight of flowers/plant” to fresh weight of flowers per plant. Please correct others.

Response: Done accordingly

71. L339, change % to (%)

Response: Done accordingly

72. L346, correct subtitle as Essential oil content or Essential oil analyses since analysis is more than one.

Response: Done accordingly

73. L347-349, check the sentence and please write clearly.

Response: Done accordingly

74. L348, change M3 to M₃

Response: Done accordingly

75. L352, M4 selected mutants??? What does it mean? Did you continue selection in M4? Or Did you select mutants in M2 and then sow mutants as M4? Please explain this important detail in here and Diagram 1.

Response: Done accordingly

76. L357, delete : and change analysis to analyses because there was more than one analysis.

Response: Done accordingly

77. L358, change have been to were

Response: Done accordingly

 

Diagram

78. M0, it means mutant or mutated zero. This sound meaningless. Irradiated seeds is better. Selection should be started in M2 and continued in M3. Change % to (%).

Response: Done accordingly

Conclusions

79. L372, change M2 to M₂

Response: Done accordingly

80. L373-374, delete g, cm, % and mm

Response: Done accordingly

81. L375, change M3 to M₃

Response: Done accordingly

82. L247, change M2 to M₂

Response: Done accordingly

83. L277, change M4 to M₄

Response: Done accordingly

84. L380, A conclusion sentence should be written for readers about mutation breeding on chamomile.

Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Reviewer 3 Report

The authors present results from their study of the effects of chemical and physical mutagens on the morphological and chemical features of the German chamomile Matricaria recutita L.

 

In my opinion, the aforementioned paper requires substantial improvements, with regard to the quality of presentation and English language. Below, I present more detailed comments.

 

1.     Throughout the entire text I found numerous typographical and linguistical mistakes. Taking into account their number, I will indicate here only a few:

a.     Page 2, line 93: “chamomile considers” – should be “chamomile is considered”

b.     Page 2, line “harvesting completely manual four times due to it”. Wrong grammar

c.     Page 3, lines 113 – 114 “Three populations of German chamomile were found to have M2 populations”. I do not understand. Furtheremore throughout the text the authors write alternatively “M2” or “M₂”; “M3” or “M₃” etc. Please use consistent naming.

d.     In many places spaces are missing between words e.g. page 3, line 120 “ahigh”.

e.     Page 4, line 161: “mutants showed stability”. What do you mean?

f.      Page 4, line 263. Latin names should be given.

2.     Regarding the scientific value of the text, my main concern is description of field experiments, which I found difficult to understand. I refer here to the following part: “The M1 plants were harvested separately in each treatment and controlled for obtaining seeds (What do you mean by controlled for obtaining seeds?). During the winter of 2020, three replications of each normal-appearing M1 plant from each treatment and its corresponding control (wild type) in each population.” So, do you mean that you did not collect mutants from the M1 population? If so, why? I simply do not understand this approach.

 

Author Response

Response to Reviewer 3 Comments

Manuscript ID: plants-1969401

Manuscript Title: Promising mutations for mechanical harvesting, high flowers yield and essential oil content in German chamomile (Matricaria recutita L.) using physical and chemical mutagenesis

We are very glad that Reviewer 3 highly evaluated our manuscript, and provided constructive comments and valuable suggestions that have helped us further improvement of the quality of our manuscript. All the changes made in response to the Reviewer 1 comments were corrected as track changes in the revised manuscript. We have addressed all of your queries and improved our manuscript following your suggestions as you can see in our point-to-point responses to your comments below.

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

The authors present results from their study of the effects of chemical and physical mutagens on the morphological and chemical features of the German chamomile Matricaria recutita L.

 

In my opinion, the aforementioned paper requires substantial improvements, with regard to the quality of presentation and English language. Below, I present more detailed comments.

 

1. Throughout the entire text I found numerous typographical and linguistical mistakes. Taking into account their number, I will indicate here only a few:
2. Page 2, line 93: “chamomile considers” – should be “chamomile is considered”

Response: Done accordingly

1. Page 2, line “harvesting completely manual four times due to it”. Wrong grammar

Response: Done accordingly

1. Page 3, lines 113 – 114 “Three populations of German chamomile were found to have M2 populations”. I do not understand.

Response: Done accordingly

Furtheremore throughout the text the authors write alternatively “M2” or “M₂”; “M3” or “M₃” etc. Please use consistent naming.

Response: Done accordingly

1. In many places spaces are missing between words e.g. page 3, line 120 “ahigh”.

Response: Done accordingly

1. Page 4, line 161: “mutants showed stability”. What do you mean?

Response: Done accordingly (corrected to performance stability)

263. Page 4, line 263. Latin names should be given.

Response: Done accordingly

2. Regarding the scientific value of the text, my main concern is description of field experiments, which I found difficult to understand. I refer here to the following part: “The M1 plants were harvested separately in each treatment and controlled for obtaining seeds (What do you mean by controlled for obtaining seeds?).

Response: Done accordingly (corrected)

 During the winter of 2020, three replications of each normal-appearing M1 plant from each treatment and its corresponding control (wild type) in each population.” So, do you mean that you did not collect mutants from the M1 population? If so, why? I simply do not understand this approach.

Response: Normally the selection of mutations begins from M2 to avoid selecting of morphological mutations occurred due to some physiological changes. The phenotypes appeared due to environmental variation or seedling physiology are disappeared in M2

 

Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Reviewer 4 Report

 

Keywords: Arrange keywords in alphabetical order.

Methodology: What is the population size of 3 German chamomile populations? Write them.

Diagram 1: How do chimeric plants in M₁ generation convert to non-chimeric in M₂? Are there any cytological studies conducted to confirm mutation level in cell? Describe it.

Line 328: What is meant by a normal appearing plant in M₁? According to my perception, mutant plants never appear normal just like untreated plants. Clarify the statement.

329: Why were control plants attributed as wild? Are populations of chamomiles growing as wild in different regions of Egypt? If they are domesticated then the word wild seems to be out of scope. Use untreated or control in place of wild.

Results: Mutation induction % of both physical and chemical mutations must be included in results for further studies about the selection of mutagen and its specific concentration.

Where is characterization of M₁ generation? It is logical to begin mutation selection from 1^st generation instead of 2^nd generation. Explain it with scientific reasoning.

How homogeneity is maintained in each selected mutant within each selection as it is already mentioned in the introduction that is frequently outcrossed by insects.

 

Table 2: It is better to write the mutagen name in front of concentration to avoid confusion.

Author Response

Response to Reviewer 4 Comments

Manuscript ID: plants-1969401

Manuscript Title: Promising mutations for mechanical harvesting, high flowers yield and essential oil content in German chamomile (Matricaria recutita L.) using physical and chemical mutagenesis

We are very glad that Reviewer 4 highly evaluated our manuscript, and provided constructive comments and valuable suggestions that have helped us further improvement of the quality of our manuscript. All the changes made in response to the Reviewer 1 comments were corrected as track changes in the revised manuscript. We have addressed all of your queries and improved our manuscript following your suggestions as you can see in our point-to-point responses to your comments below.

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

Keywords: Arrange keywords in alphabetical order.

Response: Done accordingly

Methodology: What is the population size of 3 German chamomile populations? Write them.

Response: Done accordingly

Diagram 1: How do chimeric plants in M1 generation convert to non-chimeric in M2? Are there any cytological studies conducted to confirm mutation level in cell? Describe it.

Response: Done accordingly (corrected)

Line 328: What is meant by a normal appearing plant in M1? According to my perception, mutant plants never appear normal just like untreated plants. Clarify the statement.

Response: Done accordingly (corrected)

329: Why were control plants attributed as wild? Are populations of chamomiles growing as wild in different regions of Egypt? If they are domesticated then the word wild seems to be out of scope. Use untreated or control in place of wild.

Response: Done accordingly (corrected)

Results: Mutation induction % of both physical and chemical mutations must be included in results for further studies about the selection of mutagen and its specific concentration.

Response: Done accordingly (mentioned in 2.1. Characterization of M2 populations section)

Where is characterization of M1 generation? It is logical to begin mutation selection from 1st generation instead of 2nd generation. Explain it with scientific reasoning.

Response: Normally the selection of mutations begins from M2 to avoid selecting of morphological mutations occurred due to some physiological changes. The phenotypes appeared due to environmental variation or seedling physiology are disappeared in M2

How homogeneity is maintained in each selected mutant within each selection as it is already mentioned in the introduction that is frequently outcrossed by insects.

Response: Done accordingly (corrected to the performance stability) 

Table 2: It is better to write the mutagen name in front of concentration to avoid confusion.

Response: Done accordingly

Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Round 2

Reviewer 2 Report

Dear author(s),

I have checked your mn and some of my comments have omitted. These are:

 

Introduction

1.   L58, “Chamomile” in the sentence should be the genus (if so), it should be written as the genus name with author name as Matricaria L.

2.   L69, scientific name (M. recutita L.) could be written after German chamomile.

3.   L110, scientific name of the plant material has already been written in the first mentioned place. After that, it is not necessary in “INTRODUCTION”

 

Results

4.   L121, delete with, at the end of sentence. It should be omitted.

 

Discussion

5.     L274-278, author name should be written when scientific name of the plant species were written where the first mentioned places. Lens culunaris Medik., Vigna mungo (L.) Hepper, Lathyrus sativus L., Hordeum vulgare L.

6.     L309, correct Germanchamomile to German chamomile

 

M&M

7.   L316, correct Matricariarecutita L. to Matricaria recutita L.

8.   L339-341, M1 and M2 generations especially for M₂ cannot be grown in the replicated trials (RCBD), it is meaningless. Please delete or remove this sentence. The selected mutants can be grown in the replicated experiments.

9.   L353, correct subtitle as Measured parameters/Studied traits/Studied characteristics

10.    L354, remove “above mentioned” and write details of experiments with replication.

 

Diagram

11.  Correct “Irradiated seeds is better” as “Seeds treatments”

12.  “Selection” shames or words should be shifted a little bit above. They should be equal with M2 and M3.

13.   M2, M3 and M4 should properly be written as M_2, M₃ and M₄.

 

Conclusions

14.  L403, you have already selected good mutants including suitable mechanical harvest, high yield and good oil content. Why did you need additional mutation breeding? An alternative conclusion can be considered as; The selected desirable mutants will directly be used for commercial production after registration.

Author Response

Response to Reviewer 2 Comments (Round 2)

Manuscript ID: plants-1969401

Manuscript Title: Promising mutations for mechanical harvesting, high flowers yield and essential oil content in German chamomile (Matricaria recutita L.) using physical and chemical mutagenesis.

We are very glad that Reviewer 2 highly evaluated our manuscript, and provided constructive comments and valuable suggestions that have helped us further improvement of the quality of our manuscript. All the changes made in response to the Reviewer 2 comments were corrected as track changes in the revised manuscript. We have addressed all of your queries and improved our manuscript following your suggestions as you can see in our point-to-point responses to your comments below.

 

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

Dear author(s),

I have checked your mn and some of my comments have omitted. These are:

 

Introduction

1. L58, “Chamomile” in the sentence should be the genus (if so), it should be written as the genus name with author name as Matricaria L.

Response: Done accordingly

2. L69, scientific name (M. recutita L.) could be written after German chamomile.

Response: Done accordingly

3. L110, scientific name of the plant material has already been written in the first mentioned place. After that, it is not necessary in “INTRODUCTION”

Response: Done accordingly

 

Results

4. L121, delete with, at the end of sentence. It should be omitted.

 Response: Done accordingly

Discussion

4. L274-278, author name should be written when scientific name of the plant species were written where the first mentioned places. Lens culunaris Medik., Vigna mungo (L.) Hepper, Lathyrus sativus L., Hordeum vulgare L.

Response: Done accordingly

6. L309, correct Germanchamomile to German chamomile

 Response: Done accordingly

M&M

7. L316, correct Matricariarecutita L. to Matricaria recutita L.

Response: Done accordingly

8. L339-341, M1 and M2 generations especially for M2 cannot be grown in the replicated trials (RCBD), it is meaningless. Please delete or remove this sentence. The selected mutants can be grown in the replicated experiments.

Response: Done accordingly (Corrected)

9. L353, correct subtitle as Measured parameters/Studied traits/Studied characteristics

Response: Done accordingly

10. L354, remove “above mentioned” and write details of experiments with replication.

 Response: Done accordingly

Diagram

11. Correct “Irradiated seeds is better” as “Seeds treatments”

Response: Done accordingly

12. “Selection” shames or words should be shifted a little bit above. They should be equal with M2 and M3.

Response: Done accordingly

13. M2, M3 and M4 should properly be written as M2, M3 and M4.

 Response: Done accordingly

Conclusions

14. L403, you have already selected good mutants including suitable mechanical harvest, high yield and good oil content. Why did you need additional mutation breeding? An alternative conclusion can be considered as; The selected desirable mutants will directly be used for commercial production after registration.

Response: Done accordingly

 

Author Response File: Author Response.docx