Effect of Gamma Irradiation on Growth Parameters of Vegetable Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp)

Abstract

Aim: The present investigation was carried out to study the effect of gamma irradiation on the growth parameters of cowpea variety Paiyur-1.Seeds were irradiated with physical mutagen viz., gamma irridation. The doses of radiation used were control, 50 Gy, 100 Gy, 150 Gy, 200 Gy, 250 Gy, 300 Gy, 350 Gy, and 400 Gy.Finding the LD50 and GR50 value for the physical mutagen dosages is the study's major goal. Cs137 is exposed to gamma radiation, and the observation were recorded in the M1 generation.
 Study Design: The regression method by applying Probit analysis based on rates of fatalities was utilised to estimate the Lethal Dose (LD50). Simple Linear Regression on the dose-response curve was adopted to evaluate the GR50 incorporating all of the vegetative parameters using R software.
 Place and Duration of Research: The study was carried out at Horticulture orchard, Department of Vegetable Science, Horticulture College and research Institute, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore during 2022-2023.
 Methodology: In this study, the paiyur-1 variety of cowpea was sown with two replications, those mutagenized seeds were planted individually in germination paper using the roll towel method and dry seeds that weren't irradiated served as the control. To find the lethal dose 50 and to observe the shoot length, root length, germination percentage, mortality rate and seed vigour.
 Results: Among the 9 gamma irradiated treatments, 50Gy and 100 Gy exhibited superior germination percentages, despite the fact 50 Gy treated seeds were having appealing shoot length, root length, and plant height. The linear relationship have given that shoot length and root length are the two parameter that are highly susceptible to gamma irradiation than plant height and seed vigour.