Effects of Neem Seeds Synthesized Silver Nanoparticles and Gamma-Irradiation on Certain Morphological Traits in Selected Accessions of Pigeon Peas [Cajanus cajan (L.) MILL SP].

Abstract

Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp is an essential and nutritious crop plant in Nigeria. This study investigated the combined effects of gamma irradiation and bio-synthesized silver nanoparticles on selected agro-morphological traits of pigeon peas. It is based on this background that two accessions of pigeon peas (NGB05522 and NGB05543) were obtained from the National Centre for Genetic Resources Conservation and Biotechnology, Ibadan. The seeds were irradiated using a gamma irradiation source (Cirus Cobalt- 60 Teletherapy) at various levels. Before sowing, the seeds were primed with different concentrations of biosynthesized Silver Nanoparticles (AgNPs) from neem seeds. The results showed that the combined effects of gamma irradiation and biosynthesized AgNPs stimulate both plant height and the number of leaves per plant. At 12 Weeks after Sowing (WAS), the highest plant height in NGB05543 (115.80cm) was obtained in seeds treated with 400 gray and 100 ppm AgNPs; the value was significantly different (p < 0.05) from all the other treatments. In NGB05522, the highest plant height at 12WAS (143.00cm) was observed with 100 gray and 50 ppm AgNPs; this value was significantly different from all the other treatments. In NGB05543, 100 Gray and 100 ppm consistently produced the highest number of leaves throughout the periods under study (36 at 4WAS, 60 at 6WAS, 117 at 8WAS, 210 at 128 10WAS, and 894 at 12WAS); these values were significantly different (p<0.05) from all the other values. It is therefore concluded that gamma irradiation of pigeon pea seeds primed with AgNPs increased plant height and the number of leaves in pigeon peas.