Mutagenic effects of sodium azide on some qualitative traits of maize (Zea mays)

Abstract

This research was conducted to determine the effects of sodium azide on some quantitative traits of maize varieties namely: Hakorin hajiya (local variety) and Sam-15 variety (improve variety). The seeds were presoaked in distilled water for six hours, and transferred into various concentrations (0.00%, 0.01%, 0.02% and 0.03%) of sodium azide for another six hours. The research was arranged in complete randomized design with two varieties, four treatments and three replicates. Number of days of germination ware reduced, seeds survival also noticeably affected, early tasseling and sulking in lower concentration was observed while higher concentration take more days compared with control. The weight of 100 dried seeds increased with increase in concentration in sam-15 variety, and decreasing with increase in concentration in hakorin hajiya variety.