Evaluation of Agro-morphological and Pollen Parameters of M<sub>2</sub> Generation of <i>Capsicum annuum</i> Exposed to Fast Neutron Irradiation (FNI)

Abstract

Morphological and pollen parameter evaluation of M 2 generation of fast neutron irradiated capsicum annuum was carried out to assess the heritability of the useful traits observed in the M1 generation. Irradiated M 1 generation seeds at the Centre for Energy and Research Training (CERT), Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria using Fast Neutron Irradiation (FNI) from Americium-Beryllium source with flux 1.5x10 4 n.cm -2 s -1 at 0, 30, 60, 90 and 120 minutes exposure periods were collected from the Department of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Technology Minna. The seeds were raise in the experimental garden of the Department in Randomised Complete Block Design (RCBD) and assess for morphological and pollen parameter. The results of the plant height indicated significant difference (P<0.05) across the treated plants at 2, 4, 6 and 8 weeks. The minimum height and number of leaf per plant at week 2 (3.53 cm and 6.25) and 4 weeks (11.80 cm and 13.85) was due to plant exposed to 30 minutes irradiated mutant. Maximum number of fruit and weight of fruit per plant was due to 60 minutes IEP with the value of 3.13 and 22.22 g respectively, while the minimum weight was due to 30 minutes exposure periods (13.89 g). Plants with 90 minutes exposure period recorded the highest percentage of pollen viability (96.78) and number of pollen production (79600.00).