Effect of Mutagen and Initial Seed Vigour on Biochemical Attributes in Certain Crops

摘要

Effect of sodium azide (MaN_3) on seed germination, root and shoot length, vigour index, dry matter production and biochemical attributes like reducing sugars, total amino acid, pH and electrical conductivity values were evaluated on high vigour blackgram and maize seeds, medium vigour seeds of rice and low vigour groundnut seeds subjected to different concentrations i.e., 0.005,0.001,0.1 and 0.5 per cent. Sodium azide at all concentrations, except control (water soaked) has affected all the parameters assessed. Reduction of germination, root length, shoot length, vigour index and dry matter production of all crops studied were fully inhibited at 0.1 and 0.5 per cent concentrations and were found to be dose dependent. Leachate biochemical attributeslike reducing sugars, total amino acid, pH and electrical conductivity values increased gradually at all the four concentrations. Initial vigour determined the effect of treatment, with low vigour seeds being most affected. It is reasonable to suspect that various physiological damages resulting from the mutagen treatment were responsible for the leaching of large quantities of reducing sugars, total amino acids and higher readings of pH and electrical conductivity. Seeds of high vigour alone must be used for mutagen studies.