Induced Genetic Variability for Morphological and Yield Parameters in (Capsicum annum and Capsicum frutescens)

Abstract

Mutations were induced in (Capsicum annum var accuminatum and Capsicum frutescens var baccatum) using Fast Neutron Irradiation (FNI) from Americium- Beryllium source with a flux of 1.5 × 104 n cm-2 s-1. The pepper seeds were irradiated for 0, 30, 60, 90 and 120 minutes before they were sown – with their respective controls – in order to assess the effects of the different irradiation treatments on the percentage survival, days to maturity, plant height, number of fruits per plant, number of seeds per fruits, height of fruit, weight of fruit and width of fruit in the M1 generations. Results showed that all irradiation periods caused leaf abnormalities which essentially may affect productivity negatively. There was also pronounced variation in yield and other morphological parameters, suggesting the possibility of evolving higher yield variants of pepper through proper selection.