Effect of X-Ray Exposure and Sodium Azide (NaN3) Treatments on Germination Growth and Yield of Maize (Zea Mays L.) in Mubi Adamawa State Nigeria

A Research was carried out at the Faculty of Agriculture Department of Crop Science Teaching and Research Farm, and Botany Laboratory of Adamawa State University, Mubi, during the 2024 cropping season to determine the effect of X-ray bombardment and sodium azide on the germination, growth and yield of maize (SAMMAZ 51) an open pollinated variety. The treatments consisted of the following; T1=SA10.01% T2 = SA20.02% T3= SA30.03% T4= X-ray 5sec, T5= X-ray 10 sec, T6=X-ray 15 sec and T7= control. The Experiment was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) in three replicates. Data were collected on days to first germination, germination percentage, number of leaves, plants height, days to 50% tasseling and silking, number of cobs per plot, number of rows per cob, cob length (cm), seed yield per plot(g), 1000 seed weight (g)  and seed yield (kg ha-1). The data collected was subjected to Analysis of Variance using Statistical Package for Scientist and Engineers (SPSE), significant means were separated using Duncan Multiple Range Test (DMRT) at P≤0.05. The results showed that bombarding  maize seeds with X-ray for 10 seconds prior to planting  performed better in most of  growth and yield characters observed in this study the characters were,  days to first germination with 3 days, germination percentage 72.91 %, number of leaves and plant height at 2 and 4 weeks after sowing as 5.53 and 10.07,  18.13cm and 31.27 cm  respectively number of cobs per plot  5,  number of rows per cob 12.73, seed yield  per plot 325.08 (g), 1000 seed weight 217.08 (g), and seed yield (kg ha-1) 543.78.This study therefore revealed that bombarding maize seed (SAMMAZ 51) with X-ray for 10 seconds prior to planting can enhances germination, growth and yield of maize. Hence X-ray can serve as an important mutagenic agent for creating variability in maize.