X-Ray Mutagenic Effect On Germination And Growth Of African Yam Bean (Sphenostylis Stenocarpa Hochst Ex A. Rich)

ABSTRACT

This research work was aimed at investigating the dosimetry of X-ray doses on two African yam bean (Sphenostylis stenocarpa Hochst ex A. Rich) accessions (Ikwuano and Akara), effects on different x-ray doses on the growth parameters. Seeds of the African yam bean accessions were arranged into six groups each into a brown envelope paper containing 25 seeds each. The first group served as the control whereas the other groups were bombarded with different x-ray doses (1, 2, 4, 6, and 8 MGy) respectively. The results of the dosimetry test showed that 8MGy recorded the optimum plant height curve on Akara while in Ikwuano, the optimum curve was 2 MGy. From the dosimetry test results, two dose ranges were chosen for further investigation. The effects of irradiation doses showed a significant increase in the number of leaves, plant height, leaf area, stem girth, number of branches, plant height and germination percentage of 2 MGy and 8 MGy of Ikwuano accession and 6 MGy and 8 MGy of Akara accession as compared with the control which recorded the lowest growth parameters. Among the doses, 2 MGy and 8 MGy respectively gave the highest effects. The present work has shown that irradiating African yam bean with X-ray were effective in improving the plant growth.

TABLE OF CONTENT

Title page ﾿ i

Certification ﾿ ii

Declaration ﾿ iii

Dedication ﾿ iv

Acknowledgement ﾿ v

Table of contents ﾿ vi

List of tables ﾿             ix

List of plates ﾿ x

List of figures ﾿ xi

Abstract ﾿ xii

CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION ﾿ 1

1.1 ﾿ Background of study ﾿ 1

1.2 ﾿ Justification ﾿ 2

1.3 ﾿ Aim and objectives ﾿ 4

CHAPTER 2

LITERATURE REVIEW ﾿ 5

2.1 ﾿ The Botany and Morphological Description of African yam bean ﾿ 5

(Sphenostylis stenocarpa)

2.2 ﾿ Taxonomy of Sphenostylis stenocarpa ﾿ 6

2.3 ﾿ Synonyms of African yam bean ﾿ 7

2.4 ﾿ Cytogenetics of African Yam Bean ﾿ 8

2.5 ﾿ Geographical Distribution and Wide Adaptability of African Yam bean ﾿ 8

(AYB)

2.6 ﾿ Intra-specific Variability and Diversity within African Yam Bean ﾿ 10

2.7  ﾿ Agronomy of African Yam Bean ﾿ 11

2.8  ﾿ Pests and Diseases of African Yam Bean ﾿ 12

2.9 ﾿ Biochemical Control Strategy for Some Economic Pests of Legumes ﾿ 13

2.10 ﾿ Dosimetry ﾿ 14

2.11  ﾿ Mutation Breeding for Crop Improvement ﾿ 14

CHAPTER 3

MATERIALS AND METHODS ﾿ 15

3.1 ﾿ Study Area ﾿ 15

3.1.1 ﾿ Collection of Planting Materials ﾿ 15

3.1.2 ﾿ Irradiation of Planting Materials ﾿ 15

3.1.3 ﾿ Experimental Design  ﾿ 16

3.1.4 ﾿ Data Collection ﾿ 16

3.1.5 ﾿ Statistical Analysis ﾿ 17

CHAPTER 4

RESULTS ﾿ 18

4.1      Results ﾿ 18

4.1.1  ﾿ Dosimetry Test ﾿ 18

4.1.2 ﾿ The Effect of X-ray Doses on Plant Height (cm) of Akara Accession ﾿ 22

4.1.3 ﾿ The Effect of X-ray Doses on Plant Height (cm) of Ikwuano Accession ﾿ 24

4.1.4 ﾿ The Effects of X-ray Doses on Number of Leaves Per Plant in 

﾿ Akara Accession ﾿ 26

4.1.5 ﾿ The Effects of X-ray Doses on Number of Leaves Per Plant in 

﾿ Ikwuanoccession ﾿ 28

4.1.6 ﾿ The Effect of X-Ray Doses on Leaf Area Per Plant (cm2) in Akara Accession ﾿ 29

4.1.7 ﾿ The Effect of X-Ray Doses on Leaf Area Per Plant (cm2) in 

﾿ Ikwuano  Accession ﾿ 31

4.1.8 ﾿ The Effect of X Ray Doses on Number of Branches Per Plant in 

﾿ Akara Accession ﾿ 33

4.1.9 ﾿ The Effect of X Ray Doses on Number of Branches Per Plant in 

﾿ Ikwuano Accession ﾿ 35

4.1.10  The Effect of X-Ray Doses on Stem Girth (cm) in Akara Accession                        38 ﾿

4.1.11  The Effect of X-Ray Doses on Stem Girth (cm) in Ikwuano Accession                    39

4.1.12 ﾿ Effects of X-Ray Doses on Germination Percentage (%) of Akara Accession ﾿ 41

4.1.13 ﾿ The Effects Of X-Ray Doses On Germination Percentage (%) of 

﾿ Ikwuano Accession ﾿ 43

CHAPTER 5

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION ﾿ 51

5.1 ﾿ Discussion ﾿ 51

5.2 ﾿ Conclusion ﾿ 53

5.3 ﾿ Recommendations ﾿ 53

REFERENCES ﾿ 54

APPENDIX