Abstract
In this study, two accessions of Bambara groundnut were exposed to fast neutrons Americium-Beryllium (AmBe) source with flux of 1.5 ×104 ncm-2 s-1for different hours, and planted in a completely randomized block design (RCBD) with three replications to raise M1 generation. The data recorded were percentage germination, plant height, number of leaves, leaf length, leaf width, days to 50% flowering, number of pods per plant, fresh weight of plants, dry weight of plants, dry weight of pods, weight of seeds and100 seeds weight. There was variation in plant height, number of leaves, leaf length, leaf width, Days to 50% flowering, fresh weight of plants, dry weight of plants, dry weight of pods, weight of seeds and100 seeds weight for Black accession. In the Cream accession, days to 50% flowering, number of pods per plant, fresh weight of plants, dry weight of plants, dry weight of pods, weight of seeds and100 seeds weight were significantly different. Treatment at 16 hours performed best for plant height, leaf length, number of leaves, weight of seed per plant and 100 seed weight in Black accession while Cream performed best at 8 hours exposure time. Fast neutron was observed to improve the performance of Bambara groundnut, thus can be used in breeding programme for Bambara groundnut.
Highlights
Bambara nut (Vigna subterranean (L.) Verdc.) is a legume which belongs to the family Fabaceae
Artificial hybridization between Bambara nut accessions has not been easy because the plant is selfpollinating and cleistogamous and the crop is mainly cultivated as landraces [2]
In the Cream accession, there was increase in days to 50% flowering, number of pods per plant, fresh weight of plants, dry weight of plants, dry weight of pods and weight of seeds with exposure to fast neutrons with 8 h showing highest mean value for this traits, while 100seed weight decreased with treatment
Summary
Bambara nut (Vigna subterranean (L.) Verdc.) is a legume which belongs to the family Fabaceae. Artificial hybridization between Bambara nut accessions has not been easy because the plant is selfpollinating and cleistogamous (i.e. pollen is shed before the flower opens) and the crop is mainly cultivated as landraces [2]. If the mutations are artificially induced, it can create profound effects on quality and productivity of crops [5] and can be used for human benefit through breeding. Utilizing natural or induced genetic variation is a proven strategy in crop improvement [6]. Fast neutrons irradiation is considered a valuable tool, from which varieties could be developed that is economically and agriculturally important and have high productivity potential [8]. The study was aimed at providing information about the effects of fast neutron and on Bambara groundnut in creating variability as an alternative to artificial hybridization
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