Effect of Gamma Ray and Sodium Azide on the Germination, Survival and Morphology of Varieties of Okro (Abelmuscus esculantus L. moench)

Okro, Abelmoschus esculantusL. Moench is an important medicinal herb of the family Malvaceae. The oil is used in various pharmaceutical industries due to its high medicinal properties. Three varieties of okro seeds: Jokoso, NHAe47-4 and a local variety (Beru) were exposed to varying concentrations of sodium azide (NaN3) in the range of 1.0mM to 4.0mM and gamma rays 60Co doses in the range 20-100 kR respectively. Morphological traits of the genotypes were measured according to the coding criteria specified by the Standard International Crop Descriptor for okro. Variations in the percentage germination, survival, seedling height, stem height; leaf length and the fruit length were recorded. There were significant differences between the control and the treated seeds in all the characters considered. Effect of the mutagenic treatments resulted in decreasing percentage germination, survival, and average stem height, Leave length and fruit length with increase in concentration and doses of the mutagens. The effective concentration of sodium azide solution for okro seeds are: 1.0mM, 2.0mM, 3.0mM, and 4.0mM. While the effective doses of Gamma rays for okro seeds are 20kR, 40 kR, and 60 kR for the varieties used in this research. All the three varieties responded similarly to the concentrations of Sodium azide. Sodium azide and gamma rays can be used for inducing mutation that will produce genetic variability in Okro. Key Words: Concentrations; Agronomic Characters; Genotypes; Mutagenic Treatments