Effects of Fast Neutron Irradiation on Agronomic Traits of Nigerian Pepper (Capsicum annum L.).

Abstract

The effects of fast neutron irradiation using an Americium-Beryllium source with a flux of 1.5 × 104 n cm–2 s–1 on the agronomic traits of three varieties of Nigerian pepper – Capsicum annuum var. accuminatum (MN/SH/001), C. annuum var. abbreviatum (MN/AR/002), and C. annuum var. grossum (MN/AT/003) – were studied. Seeds of each variety were irradiated for 0, 30, 60, 90 and 120 min before they were sown – with their respective controls – in order to assess the effects of the different irradiation treatments on the plants. All irradiation periods caused leaf abnormalities such as leaves with reduced size, leaves with invaginated or inverted margins, or with a blunt or bifurcated apex, when compared with control plants. Germination percentage tended to become reduce while there was a pronounced positive trend in plant height, number of leaves/plant, fruits/plant, seeds/fruit, weight, length and width of fruits, by increasing the irradiation period. However, 120 min was the most effective irradiation period to induce viable and useful mutations for yield parameters in pepper.