Assessing the mutagenic effects of gamma irradiation on Cajanus cajan (L.) Huth and Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp landraces using morphological markers

Giving the high adaptability, heritability, genetic variability and nutritive values reported in the indigenous landraces of legumes, combined efforts should be geared towards their improvement.The present study aimed at evaluating the sensitivity of “Fiofio” Cajanus cajan (L.) Huth and “Olaudi” Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp to gamma irradiation using morphological markers. Seeds of these legumes were exposed to gamma irradiation at 0, 200, 400, 600, 800 Gy from 60Co source. There was significant effect of gamma irradiation on days to 50% seedling emergence in a dosedependent fashion for “Fiofio” but it did not significantly affect the seedling emergence of “Olaudi”. Germination percentage was not affected concerning the two crops but the survival percentage was significantly reduced as the dose of exposure increased, especially for “Fiofio” variety. Growth and yield traits were increased in plants raised from seeds exposed to 200 Gy of gamma irradiation for both legumes. “Fiofio” plants raised from seeds treated with 400, 600 and 800 Gyhave died after two months, while those of “Olaudi” have presented a retarded growth. Explicitly, exposing the seeds of these legumes to 200 Gy of gamma irradiation could serve as a good springboard for theirimprovement.