Radio-Sensitivity of Some Selected Landraces of Pulses to Gamma Irradiation: Indices for Use as Improvement and Preservation Techniques

Aim: Effects of gamma irradiation on amino acid profile, proximate and anti-nutritional compositions of selected landraces of pulses were investigated.
Methods: Seeds of Brown “Fiofio”, White “Fiofio” (Cajanus cajan) and “Olaudi” (Vigna unguiculata) were exposed to gamma irradiation. Each variety was divided into five groups of fifty grams weight and was exposed to 200, 400, 600, 800Gray (Gy) doses of gamma irradiation from Cobalt60 source while the fifth group served as control.
Results: Our results revealed that the proximate, anti-nutritive factors and amino acid profile were significantly (P<0.05) reduced with increasing gamma irradiation dose. Though percentage germination was not significantly (P>0.05) affected, there was delayed germination and survival percentage became zero percent on exposure to 400Gy and above. “Olaudi” variety was less affected by the gamma rays exposure going by the result of the days to seedling emergence and percentage survival, making pigeon pea species more sensitive to the irradiation.
Conclusion: Taking the results together, it does importantly suggest, however, that lower doses of gamma irradiation might be preferred for achieving the dual purpose of improvement and preservation but high enough to reduce the anti-nutritional factors.