In-Vitro Induction of Mutation in Groundnut (Arachis hypogea L.) by Using Sodium Azide Mutagens and Its Impact on Selected Agronomic Traits

Experiment was conducted at Haramaya University experimental field station with the objectives of identifying the quantitative trait variations produced by induced chemical mutation; identify the effect of Sodium Azide on quantitative trait variation (morphological characters) and determine the effectiveness of the mutagenic chemical in groundnut growth. Two varieties of groundnut (Sedi and Werer 961) were used for inducing mutation and planted in complete Randomized Design (CRD) factorial with three replications. The significant reduction (P<0.05) in days to emergence of Sedi and Werer 961 varieties were observed at higher concentration of Sodium azide when compared with control. The plant height, number of leaves per plant, days to 50% flowering, days to 90% maturity, number of pod per plant, number of seed per plant and seed yield was significantly increased in highest concentration (0.05%) of sodium azide treatment. The root nodule number was drastically reduced in 0.01% to 0.03% concentration of sodium azide in Sedi and Werer 961varieties. Moreover, the highest percent oil content was observed in sedi variety (53.43%) treated with 0.05% of sodium azide mutagen as compared with control and rest of the treatments. In this present investigation, 0.01%, 0.02%, 0.03%, 0.04% and 0.05% of sodium azide was played an important role in inducing mutation to improve the quantitative characters of selected groundnut varieties.

Keywords: Sodium Azide Mutagens, Groundnut, oil content, yield and yield component, root nodule.