EFFECTS OF SODIUM AZIDE ON YIELD TRAITS OF TWO VARIETIES OF SESAME (Sesamum indicum).

Abstract

The effect of Sodium azide (a chemical mutagen) and the yield traits of two varieties of sesame (Sesamum indicum) viz; Kenana-4 and Ex-Sudan were studied. Three hundred seeds of each variety were treated with Sodium azide at five different concentrations (0.00%, 0.02%, 0.04%, 0.06% and 0.08%) before they were sown and grown to maturity in order to assess the effects of the different concentrations of the chemical on th plants. The results showed that 0.02% Sodium azide concentration had significantly higher values (p<0.05) when compared with its control in most of the characters. It was observed tha, t one of the variety Kenana-4 had hiher value (p<0.05) for oil content at 0.08% sodium azide concentration. The results suggest that while 0.02% Sodium Azide concentrations is the most effective to induce valuable and useful mutants for many of the yield parameters, 0.08% is effective with respect to all contents of sesame. Therefore, sodium azide can be an important tool for enhancing yield traits in sesame.