Effects of Hydrogen Peroxide and Benzene Treatments on Morphological Traits of Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.)

A study was carried out on the effects of hydrogen peroxide and benzene treatments on morphological traits of sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) in Keffi. NCRIBEN-02M variety of sesame was exposed to varying concentration (100, 75, 50, 25 and 0%), of benzene, hydrogen peroxide, and the mixture of the two chemical mutagens. The M2 generation of the genotypes were assessed for plant height, number of leaves, leaves area. Benzene treatment, at all levels, have the highest plant height. The increase in number of leaves and leaf area are significant at p≤0.05 and 95% confidence. The optimum concentrations of the mutagens used for mutation in sesame, were effective at 100 and 75% of all the treatments. The most effective mutagen for inducing mutation in sesame under Keffi environment is benzene, followed by Hydrogen Peroxide. Benzene and hydrogen peroxide have proven themselves as chemical mutagens, in mutation breeding. They have unlocked several agronomic traits in sesame. Further, study on these mutagens will enhance the genetic variability in the growing of sesame for higher performance