The mutagenic effect of various concentrations of sodium azide on traits of three varieties of tomato was investigated with the aim of improving the quality and quantity of the traits of economic importance. The seeds of three tomato varieties namely: Roma, UC and a Local variety were treated with (0.1mM, 1.0 mM, 2.0 mM and 0.0 mM as control) via pre seasons. The results obtained revealed highly significant difference (P various concentrations of sodium azide on the number of leaves, leaf area, number of fruits, fruit weight, pericarp thickness, number of seeds/fruit and pH of the fruit ju improvement (P≤0.05) was recorded on fruit diameter. More so, significant differences were found in the interactions of the varieties to the mutagenic treatments during the rainy season than the dry season. The interaction showed that all the mutants treated with 0.1mM concentration have the highest response in all the selected traits during rai fruit diameter. Similarly, all the 1.0mM treated mutants showed highest response during rainy season except in leaf area where highest response was found in dry season. Similar result was found in 2.0 mM treated mutants. We therefore concl azide concentration improves important quality traits of tomato more especially variety UC as it responds significantly to sodium azide and that, the mutant tomato could be grown both during the rainy and dry seasons.

The availability of cattle manure in the study area needs to be properly utilized to benefit the environment and provide nutrients to crop. A field experiment was conducted during the wet season (June-October) of 2014 planting season at two locations within the Research Farm of the College of Agriculture, Jalingo, Taraba State, Nigeria to determine the effects of cattle manure rates on soil nutrient distribution and yield of cotton. Four nitrogen rates in cattle manure (150, 200, 250 and 300 kg N/ha) and a control (no amendment) were laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. The experimental soil was loamy sand whether at the surface (0-15 cm), subsurface (15-30 cm) or sub subsurface (30-60 cm) with clay content increasing down the profile. The soil pH was moderately acid at the surface but strongly acid at the sub surfaces. Nutrient distribution in the soil after cotton harvest shows that nutrients in the soil were affected by rates of application of cattle manure with the values increasing with increase in manure rates and decreasing as the soil depth increases. The yield components such as cottonseed yield, lint yield, seed yield, number of bolls per plant and boll weight were significantly (P < 0.05) improved

The Effect of Sodium Azize and Grafting on Vegetative Growth PreliminaYield Parameters on Tomato in Wet Season, was investigated with the aim of inducing variability that could be exploited in the improvement of some quality traits in Tomato. The seeds of three varieties of tomato: (Roma, UC-82B and Local varieties) were treated with three different concentrations of sodium azide (0.2mM, 0.4 mM, 0.6 mM and 0.0 mM as control). The result showed highly significant difference (P≤0.01) in the effects of different concentrations of sodium azide on almost all the selected traits except on the fruit diameter where no significant difference was found. More so, the result also indicated highly significant difference (P≤0.01) among the varieties on the selected traits except in germination percent (1 WAP); where significant difference (P≤0.05) was found, and in number of leaves, and fruits diameters, no significant difference exists among the varieties. Furthermore, highly significant difference (P≤0.01) was found on the effects of grafting and sodium azide singly and in combine dosage as treatments on germination percent (1 and 2 WAP), and on number of leaves/plant. Significant difference (P≤0.05) was found on the effects of these treatments on the survival rate, while, no significant difference was found on the effects of the treatments on the number of fruits, fruit diameter, and pH. More so, no significant differences was found in the interactions except in the interaction in the interactions of variety and treatments on the number of leaves where highly significant difference (P≤0.01) was found.

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The Comparison of Growth and Yield Performance of (UC-82B & Local) Varieties of Tomatoes (Lycopersicum esculentum Mill.) by Grafting, Mutation and Seasonal Variations was investigated with the aim of inducing variability that could be exploited in the improvement of some quality traits in Tomato plants. The seeds of two varieties of tomato: UC-82B and Local varieties were treated at three different concentrations of sodium azide (1.0mM, 1.5 mM, 2.0 mM and 0.0 mM as control). The results obtained revealed highly significant difference (P≤0.01) in the effects of sodium azide on survival rates, number of fruits, and fruit weight. Similarly, highly significant differences (P≤0.01) was found between the treatments in Survival rate, except on the number of fruits and fruit weight, where no significant differences exist. More so, significant differences were found in the traits between the seasons except in fruit number. The result shows that 1.0 mM concentration of Sodium Azide and grafting improves some important quality traits of tomato that could be utilized for further improvement of tomato crop. However, the response of variety UC to grafting was higher. Highly significant difference (P≤0.01) was found among the seasons in terms of fruit weight, and significant difference (P≤0.05) was found among the seasons on survival rate, while no significant difference was found among the seasons in terms of fruits number. More so, highly significant difference (P≤0.01) was found in the interaction of varieties with seasons on Survival rate and number of fruit tomato varieties except on fruit weight, where no significant difference was found.

The effect of Gibberellin Hormonal Response and Grafting methods on the Growth and Yield of Okra was investigated, with the aim of inducing variability that could be exploited in the improvement of some quality traits in Okra plants. Gibberellin, grafting and a combination of grafting with Gibberellin) were applied on to the Okra seeds. The seeds of Okra were treated at four different concentrations of Gibberellin (0.1mM, 1.0 mM, 2.0 mM and 0.0 mM as control) after which some of the mutants were grafted using tongue grafting method at seedlings stage.  The other set of seeds were not treated with the hormone but were grafted at seedlings stage. The results obtained revealed highly significant difference (P≤ 0.01) in the effects of Gibberellin on survival rates, number of fruits, and fruit weight. Similarly, highly significant differences (P≤0.01) were found between the treatments in Survival rate, except on the number of fruits and fruit weight, where no significant differences exist. More so, significant differences were found in the traits between the seasons except in fruit number. The result showed that Gibberellin and grafting improve important quality traits of Okra. The mutants and grafted Okra could be grown both during the rainy and dry seasons, while 0.1 mM concentration of Gibberellin and grafting improve some important quality traits of Okra that could be utilized for further improvement of Okra. However, the response of Okra to grafting was higher. Based on the findings, the study concluded that, grafting improves some important quality traits of Okra that are of high economic value and possible recommendations that could be made.

The Effect of Sodium Azide and Colchicine Induced Mutation  on Survival and Growth on Three Varieties of Tomato in Dry Season, was investigated with the aim of inducing variability that could be exploited in the improvement of some quality traits in Tomato plants. Three different treatments (chemical mutagenesis via sodium azide, and colchicines. and a combination of sodium azide with Colchicine) were applied on to the three varieties of tomato seeds. The seed of the tomato: (Roma, UC82B and Local varieties) were treated at four different concentrations of colchicine (0.1mM, 1.0 mM, 2.0 mM and 0.0 mM as control). The result obtained revealed highly significant difference (P≤0.01) in the effects of sodium azide on survival rates, leaf area, number of fruits, and pH. Significant improvement (P≤0.05) was also recorded on fruit diameter. Similarly, highly significant differences (P≤0.01) were found between the treatments in all the selected traits except on number of fruits, where no significant differences exist. The result showed that sodium azide and colchicine improve important quality traits of tomato. It was deduced that variety UC82B responds significantly to colchicine. It was concluded that, the sodiuim azide and colchicines improve some quality traits on tomato that could be grown in dry seasons. It was concluded that 0.1 mM concentration of colchicine and sodium azide improve some important quality traits of tomato that could be utilized for further improvement of tomato crop. Key Words: Sodium azide, Roma, Local variety, UC8, Mutation, Colchicine, Dry season