MORPHOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF PIGEON PEA [CAJANUS CAJAN (L.) MILLSP.] TREATED WITH SODIUM AZIDE AND GAMMA RADIATION

¹Mathew, B. A, ²Louis, U. ³A. A. Omachi, ⁴Ibrahim, A.A. & ⁵Mohammed, R.O.

^1*5Department of Integrated Science, ^{3 5}Department of Chemistry, ^{2 & 4 5}Department of Biology

^{1,3 & 4}Kogi State College of Education, Ankpa, Nigeria

²Federal College of Education, Katsina, Nigeria

⁵Kogi State College of Education Technical, Kabba, Nigeria

E-mail; matthewaledare44@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

The aim of this study was to determine the morphological responses of pigeon pea Cajanus cajan (L) Millspaugh to treatments with sodium azide and gamma radiation. This was performed by exposing the seeds of landraces pigeon pea to gamma rays at Centre for Radiotherapy and Oncology Department, ABUTH, Zaria at doses of 0(control), 50, 100, 150 and 200Gy. These seeds were further treated with sodium azide (NaN₃) concentrations at 0.00, 0.01, 0.02, 0.03 and 0.04% SA, giving a total of 25 treatments. The growth parameters were recorded at 4, 8, 12, 16 and 20 Weeks After Planting (WAP). The parameters measured include germination percentage, Leaf and branch number, plant height and root length. The result of these treatments showed a symmetric reduction in germination percentage with respect to most of the mutagenic treatments. There was a higher leaf number with those that received 100Gy + 0.03% SA (41.93 leaves). Also, the branch number of treated plants showed an increase over the R0A0 (control) treatment; Similarly, the mean comparison of the plant height presented showed 150Gy + 0.02% SA (190.93 cm), produced the highest plant height and data recorded on root length indicated that the highest root length due to 100Gy + 0.01% SA (43.13 cm), was significantly higher than those of other treatments. It is, therefore, concluded that the two mutagens affected the pigeon pea plant population morphologically as prominent Tall, High yield, Early flowering and profusely branchingmutants were observed by exposing pigeon pea to single and combined treatments of gamma ray (50Gy – 150Gy) and Sodium azide (0.01% – 0.04%).

Keywords: Pigeon pea, Cajanus cajan, sodium azide, gamma radiation, seed germination, root length, plant height, morphological response, mutagenic treatment.