Department of Genetics and Biotechnology, University of Calabar, PMB 1115, Calabar, Nigeria; Laboratory of Plant Cell Technology, Graduate School of Horticulture, Chiba University, Japan
Udensi, O., Department of Genetics and Biotechnology, University of Calabar, PMB 1115, Calabar, Nigeria; Ntui, V.O., Department of Genetics and Biotechnology, University of Calabar, PMB 1115, Calabar, Nigeria, Laboratory of Plant Cell Technology, Graduate School of Horticulture, Chiba University, Japan
The seeds of two varieties of pigeon pea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Mill], brown "Fiofio" and white "Fiofio", were treated with 0, 4, 6 and 8 ppm amiprophos methyl (APM) for 48 h, or exposed to γ-irradiation at 0, 200, 400, 600 Gy (Gray) from 60Co source. There was significant (P < 0.05) effect of the mutagenic treatments on all the growth and yield traits evaluated except for percentage germination and these effects were dose-dependent. Seeds exposed to 200 Gy of γ-rays gave better seed yield when compared with APM soaked seeds. The treatment of pigeon pea seeds with APM and γ-rays could serve as alternative breeding and improvement techniques to achieve high seed productivity, especially at lower doses. Succinctly, it does suggest that if mutagenic process is monitored and directed carefully, it could proffer significant alternative for improving pigeon pea landraces, especially if the seeds are exposed to γ-irradiation at the dose of at least 200 Gy. © 2013 Friends Science Publishers.
