ABSTRACT
This research work was aimed at evaluating the effect of X-irradiation doses on the growth component and proximate composition of two varieties of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L. Moench). The varieties used are Clemson spineless and V35. The okra seeds were grouped into five (5). Group one served as the control whereas group 2-5 received different levels of X-ray (5, 10, 15 and 20 MGy). The seeds were packed in a paper envelope containing 50 seeds each. The seeds were irradiated at Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Umuahia, Abia state at the radiographical unit. The treated seeds were sown 24 hours after irradiation directly to the soil. The experiment was designed in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replicates. Growth components were measured at 3, 6 and 9 WAP. Data generated were subjected to statistical analysis using FLSD. The results obtained on the two okra varieties on the growth components investigated revealed that doses of 5, 10 and 15 MGy had better promoting effect when compared with the control. Also, the result of the proximate composition revealed an increase in the carbohydrate, protein and fat contents of the okra varieties. There was a gradual reduction on the ash, fibre and moisture contents of the plants. From the results obtained in this study, it can be concluded that irradiating okra seeds with X-ray are effective in improving the growth variables. Consequently, the results of the proximate composition observed in this work were promising. It is therefore recommended that more research should be conducted on the yield, vitamins and mineral composition of the plant as a result of X-ray bombardment.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Cover
page i
Title
page ii
Declaration iii
Certification iv
Dedication v
Acknowledgment
vi
Table
of content vii
List of
Figures ix
Abstract x
CHAPTER 1
1.0 Introduction 1
1.2 Justification 3
1.3 Objectives
of the study 3
CHAPTER 2
LITERATURE
REVIEW
2.1 Botany
of the plant 4
2.2 Origin
and Distribution of Okra 4
2.3 Soil
and Climatic Requirements 5
2.4 Cultivation
of Okra 6
2.5 Uses
of Okra 6
2.6 Economic
Importance of Mutation Breeding 7
2.7 Types
of Mutagens 7
2.7.1 Physical
Mutagens 8
2.7.2 Chemical
Mutagens 9
2.8 Mutagenesis
as a Means of Crop Improvement 9
CHAPTER 3
3.1 Source
of Planting Materials 11
3.2 Study
Area 11
3.3 Irradiation
of Planting Materials 11
3.4 Experimental
Design 11
3.5 Data
Collection 12
3.6.0 Proximate
Composition Analysis 12
3.6.1 Moisture
Content Determination 12
3.6.2 Crude
Protein Determination 13
3.6.3 Crude
Ash Determination 13
3.6.4 Crude
Fat Determination 14
3.6.5 Crude
Fibre Determination 14
3.6.6 Carbohydrate
Determination 15
CHAPTER 4
4.1 Effect
of X-ray doses on the plant height (cm) 16
4.2 Effect of X-ray doses on the Number of
Leaves 17
4.3 Effect of X-ray doses on the Number of
Branches 19
4.4 Effect of X-ray doses on the Leaf Area
(cm2) 20
4.5 Proximate composition of two okra
varieties seed
irradiated with X-ray. 22
4.6: Effect
of X-ray doses on the biomass 26
CHAPTER 5
5.1 Discussion
27
5.1.1 Discussion
of the effect of X-ray doses on
the growth
components 27
5.1.2 Effect of X-ray dose on the proximate
composition 28
5.2 Conclusion
29
5.3 Recommendation 30
REFERENCES
31
APPENDIX
36
LIST OF FIGURES
4.1 Effect of X-ray doses on the Plant height 17
4.2 Effect of X-ray doses on the number of
leaves 18
4.3 Effect of X-ray doses on the number of
branches 19
4.4 Effect of X-ray doses on the leaf area 20
4.5 Moisture content of the fresh okra pod 23
4.6 Crude fat content of the immature okra
pod 23
4.7 Ash content of the immature okra pod 24
4.8 Protein content of the immature okra pod 24
4.9 Carbohydrate content of the fresh okra
pod 25
4.10 Crude fibre content of immature okra pod 25
4.11 Biomass fresh and dry weight 26
CHAPTER 1
1.0
INTRODUCTION
Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench) belongs to the Malvaceae
family and it is one of the most popular fruit vegetables cultivated in Africa
(Schippers, 2000) and other places around the world (NIHORT, 1986). It is
cultivated for its fibrous fruits or pods and the fruits are harvested when
immature and eaten as a vegetable. They are a good source of carbohydrate,
protein, fats, vitamins and minerals (Akintoye et al., 2011). Apart from its popular use as vegetable, it has also
been used for several purposes such as coffee additive and paper making
(Moekchantuk and Kumar, 2004). The mucilage is also suitable for medicinal and
industrial applications (Akinyele and Temikotan, 2007).
Okra production is being constrained
by a complex of biotic and abiotic factors at every stage of growth (Anne and
Carter, 2004). Unfavorable climatic conditions such as drought, edaphic
factors, excess or low light intensity can damage the quality and reduce the
yield (Agbogidi and Nweke, 2005).
During crop evolution there has been
a continuous reduction in genetic diversity as breeders have increasingly
focused on so-called “elite” cultivars. This genetic erosion eventually became
a bottleneck and various techniques to induce mutations and artificially
increase variation emerged in the middle of the last century Smartt and
Simmonds (1995). Initially, X-ray radiation was used as a mutagen since it was
readily available to researchers. In 1927, Muller showed that X-ray treatment
could increase the mutation rate in a Drosophila
population by 15,000% (Munoz, 2000), and a year later, Stadler observed a
strong phenotypic variation in barley seedlings and sterility in maize tassels
after exposure to X-rays and radium (Stadler, 1928). Later, more sophisticated
techniques such as gamma and neutron radiation were developed at newly
established nuclear research centers. During and directly following the Second
World War, radiation-based techniques were complemented by chemical mutagens
that were less destructive, freely available, and easier to work with.
Induced
mutagenesis in plant dates back to the 20th century (Ahloowalia and
Maluszynski 2001). The special use of induced mutations are basically to
improve polygenic traits in crop plants by introducing desirable mutants
directly into commercial cultivars or to use them directly through cross
breeding. Considerable progress has been made to study the effect of induced
mutants in okra (A. esculentus), but
comprehensive information on different aspects of genetic mutants in
segregating generation in okra are limited. It has been known for long that
plants are sensitive to ionizing radiations such as beta particles and gamma
rays. Physical mutagenic agents include gamma, X-ray and neutron irradiation
(Kovacs and Kereztes, 2002). In the 1950s, there was a global spread of gamma
irradiations for plant breeding. Conversely, spontaneous genetic mutation of
plants can be induced and exploited through the changes of external environment
and the instability of genetic structure of plants under natural conditions.
However
gamma sources (usually the radioactive isotopes, cobalt-60 and caesium-137)
have become security risks and strict international regulations are imposed on
the shipment of gamma sources, the production of gamma sources and
refurbishment of old gamma irradiators. These restrictions now limit gamma
irradiation for plant mutagenesis. The Plant Breeding and Genetics Laboratory
(PBGL) of the FAO/IAEA have therefore embarked on a series of investigations
aimed at optimizing x-rays for plant mutagenesis.
Mutation
breeding techniques have been applied in various crop plants (Brenner et al., 2000; Munoz, 2000; Danquah et al., 2001). It is one possible
alternative in conventional breeding for crop improvements.
1.2 Justification
Induced
mutation is a method that has been applied in plant breeding to increase
genetic variations (Brunner, 1995). Variability however, is a pre-requisite for
any breeding program to evolve high yielding varieties with other desirable
attributes. This work therefore will provide an insight into the effects of
different X-ray doses on the growth and proximate components of okra.
1.3 Objectives of the study
Ø To
investigate the effect of X-ray doses on the growth components of okra.
Ø To
determine the effect of X-ray doses on the proximate composition of the
immature pods of okra.
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