Abstract
Abelmoschus esculentus (okra) is a popular health food because of its high fiber, vitamin C and folate content. It is also rich in antioxidants, a good source of calcium and potassium. Three varieties of okra: Jokoso, NHAe47-4 and Beru (a local variety) were irradiated with 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100 kr doses of gamma rays then soaked in 2.0 mM and 3.0 Mm of Sodium azide for 2h with the aim of determining the effects of the combined mutagens on their morphology. There were significant differences between the control and the treated seeds used in their germination, seedling survival, seeding length, survival to maturity and height at maturity. The effective concentrations and doses of combined mutagens for Beru and NHAe47-4 varieties were: 2.0 mM + 20 kr, 2.0 mM + 40 kr, and 2.0 mM + 60 kr and 3.0 mM + 20 kr, 3.0 mM + 40 kr, and 3.0 mM + 60 kr) while the effective concentrations and doses for Jokoso variety were: 2.0 mM + 20 kr, 2.0 mM 40 kr 2.0 mM 60 kr and 3.0 mM + 20 kr only. Jokoso variety was worse affected than any other. Sodium azide and gamma rays can be used for inducing mutation that will produce genetic variability in Okra. Key words: Abelmoschus esculentus, germination, genetic variability.
Highlights
Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) is a perennial, often cultivated annually in temperate climates, and it grows to around 2 m tall
There were significant differences between the control and the treated seeds used in their germination, seedling survival, seeding length, survival to maturity and height at maturity
Sodium azide and gamma rays can be used for inducing mutation that will produce genetic variability in Okra
Summary
Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) is a perennial, often cultivated annually in temperate climates, and it grows to around 2 m tall. It is a flowering plant in the mallow family. The crop is cultivated throughout the tropical and warm temperate regions of the world for its fibrous fruits or pods containing round, white seeds. It is among the most heat- and drought-tolerant vegetable species in the world and it tolerates soils with heavy clay and intermittent moisture, but frost can damage the pods (Wikipedia, 2016)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
