Effects of Gamma Radiation And Colchicine on Crude Protein Content of Soy-Bean [Glycine Max (L.) Merrill] Varieties

Abstract

A pot experiments was conducted to determine the effects of gamma radiation and colchicine on Crude protein content of soybean varieties. The seeds of two varieties of Soybean (TGX 1448-2E and SAMSOY-2) were subjected to five treatments (0, 5, 10, 15, and 20Krad) of gamma rays and five colchicine concentrations (0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0mM). Combinations of these two mutagens were also used to treat the two soybean varieties. The treatments were laid out in a complete randomized design. The plants were sampled for flower production, number of pods, 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. The higher doses of gamma rays (15Krad and 20Krad) were particularly lethal, as there was no seedling emergence in all the two varieties used in this research. Similarly, The combination of the two mutagens gave a significant decrease in pod dry weight. At higher doses of gamma ray or higher concentrations of colchicine (20Krad and 2mM) the results revealed an increase in grain yield and 100 seed weight. The data showed that, variety TGX 1448-2E showed higher values in flower production, pod weight, 100seed weight, grain yield and crude protein content than the other variety. The results also revealed that the treatment doses in the gamma rays were effective. In conclusion, the impact of mutagens on 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.