ABSTRACT
The effect of time of exposure of Sodium azide (NaN3) on the growth and genetic parameters of FARO 52 ricevariety was investigated to know the mutagenic activity. The Rice was obtained from Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Abuja and treated with 0.032% Sodium azide at pH 3. Control seeds were treated with water at neutral pH. The time of exposure of sodium azide was analysed(2 hours, 4 hours, 6 hours and 8 hrs). Growth parameters recorded include percentage germination, length of plumule and radicle, percentage emergence and plant height. Genetic parameters studied include phenotypic variance, genotypic variance, heritability, genetic advance and genetic gain. Heritability (%) of percentage emergence was 17.409, percentage germination was 59.748 and length of radicle was 95.36. Results obtained from this study showed from the length of plumule (cm) for 14 DAI, control (4.05), 2 hours treatment (3.2), 4 hours treatment (5.03), 6 hours treatment (5.63) and 8 hours treatment (5.4). Length of radical (cm) for 14 DAI, control (2.8), 2 hours treatment (2.05), 4 hours treatment (2.03), 6 hours treatment (2.58) and 8 hours treatment (1.93), percentage germination for 14 DAI, control (100), 2 hours treatment (97.5), 4 hours treatment (100), 6 hours treatment (100) and 8 hours treatment (97.5), plant height that sodium azide had more effect on FARO 52 at the 6 hours treatment (longest). However, further screening should be carried out on these traits in subsequent generations.
