EFFECT OF GAMMA RADIATION ON Corchorus olitorius L
Corchorus olitorius is one of the most important vegetables in Nigeria. The leaves and the fruits are mainly used for cooking. In India and other countries, the stem provides high quality fibre (Tossa fibre) for industrial purposes. The low germination capacity of the seeds is one of the problems of production. The method of steeping seeds of Corchorus in hot water for about 10 seconds to break the dormancy has been used in production [1] and [2]. Work was carried out with gamma irradiation ranging from 3 krad - 25 krad to create genetic variability and to break the dormancy. The M, generations of Corchorus seeds (NH87/Co4) irradiated with 12 krad gave 100% germination. The seeds germinated between 2-3 days after sowing without requiring hot water treatment. A mutant selected in M3 had high yield with 3-4 fruits on the same node. The normal plants (untreated with radiation) had only one or two fruits on the same node. Some of the seeds had been given out for trials in other ecological zones in Nigeria.