Abstract
The study was carried out to assess the effect of different doses of gamma irradiation on agro-morphological traits under simulated flooding of two rice varieties (FARO 44 and FARO 60) in order to identify the most effective radiation dose in creation of genetic variability for submergence tolerance. Seeds of FARO 44 and FARO 60 cultivars were collected from National Cereal Research Institute (NCRI) Badeggi, Nigeria and exposed to different doses of gamma irradiation (0, 50,100, 150 and 200 Gy) at Center for Energy and Research Training, Zaria, Nigeria. The treated and the controls seeds were evaluated for submergence in a Randomized Complete Block Design with four replicate each. Each experimental bucket was flooded for a period of 10 days and was allowed to grow till harvest after submergence period. From the results, gamma irradiation had significant (P≤0.05) positive effect on survival percentage of FARO 44 after submergence with 150 Gy having the highest (93.75%) compared to the control (56.25%). The irradiation doses (150 and 200 Gy) had significant positive effects (p≤0.05) on the plant height and yield of FARO 44. In Faro 60, low doses of gamma irradiation (100 Gy) had significant (p≤0.05) effects on the days to 50% flowering and weight of 100 grains (g). It was observed that gamma radiation doses of 150 Gy and 200 Gy had positive effects on submergence tolerance indices of FARO 44 used in this research. Further research therefore should be carried out on submergence tolerance of the promising mutants.
Highlights
Rice is one of the most important food crop in the world, consumed by nearly 3 billion people daily
The genetic material (FARO 44 & FARO 60) used for the study were collected from National Cereal Research Institute (NCRI) Badeggi, Nigeria and irradiated at Centre for Energy and Research Training Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, Nigeria
Effects of gamma irradiation on germination percentage of FARO 44 and FARO 60 The results effects of gamma irradiation on the percentage germination showed that increase in the dose of gamma irradiation decreases the germination percentage of both FARO 44 and FARO 60
Summary
Rice is one of the most important food crop in the world, consumed by nearly 3 billion people daily. In Nigeria, approximately 70% rainfed lowland rice farms are prone to seasonal flooding, this results in total loss of the crop These losses affect rice farmers in rained and flood-affected areas where alternative livelihoods are limited. Induced rice mutants have been useful research tools for genetic and physiological assessments of yield-limiting factors in rice Mutants have made it possible to identify critical elements for developing high yield potential varieties exhibiting desirable traits such as semi-dwarfism, early maturity, a greater number of panicles/plant and increased fertility. Submergence tolerance has long been regarded as an important breeding objective for rain-fed lowland and deep water rice areas [7]. Despite this recognition, there has been limited success in developing improved submergence tolerance in Africa Nigeria. This research is design to evaluate for submergence tolerance of Faro 44 and Faro 60 under the effect of gamma irradiation
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