Mutagenic effects of Sodium azide (NaN<sub>3</sub>) on morphological characteristics on two varieties of tomato (<i>Solanum lycopersicum</i> Mill)

Abstract

The Impact of Sodium Azide on the Germination and Growth of Two Varieties of Tomato was investigated with the aim of inducing variability that could be exploited in the improvement of some quality traits in tomato plants. The seeds of two varieties of Tomato (Roma and UC82B) were treated with three different concentrations of Sodium Azide (0.1mM, 1.0 mM, 2.0 mM and 0.0 mM as control). The result obtained revealed a highly significant differences (P≤0.01) in the effects of Sodium Azide on seedlings heights, Height at maturity, fruit weight, pericarp thickness, number of leaves and pH(Potential of Hydrogen) Significant improvement (P≤0.05) was also recorded in fruit diameter, while no significance difference was found on Root dry weight. The result revealed that Sodium Azide improve important quality traits in tomato. However, the response of variety UC82B to Sodium Azide was higher. More so, significant differences were observed between the seasons except in the number of leaves, fruit number, pericarp thickness and fruit diameter. It was concluded that 0.1 mM of Sodium Azide improve some quality traits of tomato that could be utilized in the improvement of tomato.Key Words: Sodium Azide, Tomato, Mutation, Varieties, Morphology, UC82B, Roma.