Effects of Colchicine on Agronomic Performance of Soy-Bean [Glycine Max

Abstract

ABSTRACTThe pot experiment was conducted to determine the effects of colchicine on Agronomic performance of soybean varieties. The seeds of two varieties of Soybean (TGX 1448-2E and SAMSOY-2) were subjected to five treatment colchicine concentrations (0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0mM). The treatments were laid out in a complete randomized design. The plants were sampled for germination percentage two weeks after planting  (2 WAP), plant survival (3 and 6 WAP), plant height (3 and 6 WAP), root nodule (6 WAP), leave number (6 WAP), root fresh weight (6 WAP), shoot fresh weight (6 WAP), fresh weight (6 WAP) and flower production for the assessment of growth parameters, the plants were also sampled for pod dry weight, 100 seed weight, grain yield and crude protein content at harvest. The results indicated a varying degree of effects in response to the mutagenic treatments. There was no seedling emergence in all the two varieties used in this research. Similarly, there was decrease in percentage germination with increase in colchicine concentrations observed in the treated seeds. At higher concentrations of colchicine (1.5 mM and 2 mM) the results revealed an increase in grain yield, crude protein and 100 seed weight. The data showed that, variety TGX 1448-2E showed higher values in germination percentage, plant survival, plant height, root nodule, leave number, shoot weight, flower production, fresh weight, pod weight, 100seed weight, grain yield and crude protein content than the other variety. In conclusion, the impact of mutagens on both vegetation and yield parameters of soybean varieties varied with the level of mutagens. TGX 1448-2E was shown to be the most responsive to the treatment doses than SAMSOY-2 variety.