International Journal of Agriculture and Crop Sciences.

Available online at www.ijagcs.com

IJACS/2013/5-11/1235-1244
ISSN 2227-670X 2013 IJACS Journal

Assessment of gamma ray irradiation effects on

germination and some morphological characters in
tow corn cultivars
Ali emrani*1 , Dr.Alireza Razavi2 , Dr.Mohammad Farhad Rahimi3
1. M.Sc Student of Seed Science and Technology, Faculty of Agriculture, Islamic Azad University
, Ashtian Branch, Ashtian , Iran.
2. Department of agriculture, Agricultural Research Center of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran.
3. Department of Physics, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran.
Corresponding author: a.emrani3720@gmail.com
ABSTRACT: In this research study, the dose of gamma radiation on seed germination of two cultivars of
maize (single cross 500 and single cross 704), and the mechanisms of the dose required to maximize the
rate and percentage of germination and increased growth of root and shoot Research central Agricultural
Research Laboratory was conducted in Mashhad. The experiment consisted of two corn (single cross 500
and single cross 704) under the influence of gamma radiation (Co-60) with five different dose groups and
a control was carried out for 5 days.3900 seeds of two varieties of maize (cv. 500 and SC704) were used.
Seed treatment using cobalt-60 gamma radiation was in Omid Hospital Mashhad. In this study, six groups
of seeds (zero dose, 100, 200, 400, 600 and 800) were irradiated for 5 days, each day for each group
counted 75 seeds were sown in glass dishes. Germinated seeds counted 4 days after placing the dishes
in the incubator and this 7 days and until that changes in the number of germinated seeds was found
continued. Studied in this experiment were: germination percentage, germination rate, root length, shoot
length and shoot diameter.The results showed that the root and shoot of both cultivars at doses of 400
and 600 cGy and was highest in the third and fourth days. Traits also showed significant reduction in the
dose of 800. SC 500 varieties of treatments for root length, shoot length and germination showed the
superiority of the SC704.
Key words: Gamma rays, The number of days of exposure, Germination, Corn germination
INTRODUCTION
The first developmental stage of the plant is Germination, a critical stage in the life cycle of plants and a
keyprocessinseedlingemergence(DeVilliersetal.,1994).
The first developmental stage of the plant is Germination; this growth stage is strongly influenced by
environmental factors, especially temperature and soil moisture (Basra et al., 2004).
In this context, a solution is needed in order to enhance seed germination and seedling corn, use more of soil
moistureandprovidenutrientsforplantsandsolarradiation.
In this case, the plant will be able to end its development period before early fall stresses (Subedi and ma,
2005).
The results show that emergence and establishment of uniform power plant achieved using power levels to
rapidly seed germination (Afzal et al., 2002; Ashraf and Foolad, 2005; Farooq et al., 2006).
Increasing agricultural production is possible in two ways: increasing acreage and yield per unit area. Due
to limited natural resources (soil, water, etc.) it should be forced to increase the yield per unit area that is the main
farming procedures. The use of improved varieties, history and proper spacing and crop rotation increase
agricultural efficiency and yield per unit area (Khajehpoor, 2000).
World's third most important crop after is corn after wheat and rice. Acreage of this crop in the world in
2007 was about 158 million hectares with production of 790 million tones (FAO., 2007).

Intl J Agri Crop Sci. Vol., 5 (11), 1235-1244, 2013

Low dose of gamma irradiation stimulates cell division and high-dose inhibits cell division due to free radicals and
DNA system damage (Zaka et al., 2004).
High doses of gamma radiation cause DNA damage and expression of genes related to
Callus (Patade et al., 2008).
Shakoor and. Haq created tall and dense lines using gamma ray by Gy100 dose. Haq et al obtained 6 lines gamma
radiationresistanttoelectricityby100-200Gydoses.
The selection in breeding programs to be effective, it is necessary to study the genetic diversity in the
samples (Adu-Dupaah, and Sang Won, 2005).
Kim et al (2004) found that low radiation dose had significant effect on growth parameters and low dose
germination is associated with germination studying on different doses of gamma irradiation (up to 20 Gy) on three
varieties of Chinese cabbage. Since diversity in plant species is low due to breeding strategies and subsequent
erosion of genetic resources, mutation is regarded as a process known to increase genetic diversity (Yilmaz, A.,
and Boydak. 2006).
Mutation creates diversity in genetic potential for emergence that does not occur naturally.
Since spontaneous mutations occur at very low frequency, mutation induction techniques are tools for quickly
creating diversity in plant species (Maluszynski et al., 1995).
Induction mutation is considerable in Understanding the genetic mechanisms specially the structure and
function of genetic material. If the diversity of mutations can be adapted, it will help to survival the remains of
different environments. Despite some limitations in mutation breeding, induced mutation is used for breeding of
plants. The main advantage of the potential of mutation breeding is genetic modification of one or more characters
without changing resources (Wani and Anis, 2008).
Until now, more than 2200 mutants were released from different plants with improved agronomics. The
mutagenic was successfully used to change the genetic structure of crop plants and economic isolation of mutants
with desirable traits such as plant height, number of pods per plant, number of seeds per pod, seed weight, seed
yield, oil content and resistance to disease (Javed et al., 2000).
Effects of gamma rays on quantitative and qualitative characteristics of rice indicated that radiation dose
somewhat improved growth characteristics, but with increasing dose rate, a decreasing trend is observed in the
studiedtraits(Sahaetal.,2005).
Turnip seeds of the four species of 750, 1000 and 1250 Gy gamma rays were selected for desirable traits
that was carried out at various stages of the hundreds of people treated with both mutant and TS96-752 TS951005 titles with improved agronomic traits and the parental lines were more than two thousand seed weight greater
than the parent mutant. It has been noted that the mutagenic effect was probably a result of an increase in grain
size (Javed et al., 2003).
The effect of gibberellin acid biosynthesis or signaling mutations (GA) can produce dwarf phenotypes in
plants and using these mutants in plant breeding, it is an important factor in the success of the Green Revolution,
(Mungprom et al., 2005) dwarf shrubs were created using the HD mutation.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
In this study, 3900 seeds from two varieties of corn (figure 500 and SC704) were used. Seeds were treated
using cobalt-60 gamma rays in Omid Hospital in Mashahd with the following characteristics.
Dose of 155 cGy per minute output
Ssd = 60
Field 20 20
Over Seeds on 0.5 cm wax
RESULTS
The results of variance analysis shows (Table 4.1) that among cultivars for all traits, there were significant
differences in traits except stem diameter that it is a fix character and has not been affected by radiation. As seen
in the table at different doses for all traits except percentage and germination rate, there are significant differences
for other traits. This indicates that radiation levels have a direct effect on cell division and intracellular metabolism
and the length and diameter of the cells. But it has no effect on the rate of intracellular activity.

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The interaction of cultivars in different doses has significant difference at 1% level for all characters except
two traits of germination rate and germination percentage.
percentage The interaction of radiation at different radiation doses
for all characters is shown at 1% level of significance.
significance.
Considering the amount of radiation received by the plant,
plant the greater the amount of energy received per
unit area result in any morphological and physiological changes in plants that is the same with the results of the
study by Hossein Pour and colleagues (2002
2002).
In the study of interactions between genotypes,
genotypes levels of radiation dose and radiation were determined.
determined Significant
difference at 1% level for all traits was observed except germination rate and germination percentage and the
resultsofHosseinPourFeiziandcolleagues(1384)wereconsistent
resultsofHosseinPourFeiziandcolleagues(1384
ofHosseinPourFeiziandcolleagues(1384
consistent.
Table 1. Analysis of variance measure for measured characters (mean square).
S. V.
A cultivars
B irradiation
AB
radiation levels
C
AC
BC
ABC
Error

df
1
4
4
4
4
16
16
100

Percentage of
germination
9157.227**
**
437.227**
ns
204.977
ns
99.610
ns
175.910
40.118 **
ns
41.827
99.400

stem diameter
ns

28.040
4.557 **
0.390 **
ns
16.523
29.323 **
2.794 **
5.486 **
7.707

Germination
rate
343.224 **
ns
4.564
ns
7.290
ns
3.606
ns
7.366
1.647**
ns
4.956
3.415

shoot length
248.327 **
3.310 **
10.343 **
113.527**
**
ns
15.760
10.064 **
29.047 **
13.087

root length
329874.707 **
890.807
890.807**
1305.440 **
15813.007
15813.007**
3567.607 *
1203.369
1203.369**
ns
1530.694
1328.473

ns, * and **: respectively non-significant

significant, significant at the 5 and 1 percent

Root length
In Figure 1,, the effect is independent of the number.
number As it can be seen,
seen the figure of a significant effect on
root growth rate is 1%. The two are distinct and different.
different Single cross of 500 has higher root growth than 704.
O
Overall,
figure of 500 has a shorter growth period and pass deployment stages sooner that shows
show this difference.
difference

Figure 1. Comparison of root length effect on the cultivars tested

It also considers the effect of irradiation on the root growth that was shown by the
radiation
adiation effects on root growth and the highest level of radiation has the fifth lowest impact on root growth.
growth Also,
among the first, second and fourth radiations, there is no significant effect on root growth at 95% confidence level.
Compared with the results of comparing the effects of dose and irradiation on root growth rates in Tables 2, 3, it
ha been identified by the treatment (12 vs. SC 500, 400 and
has
and radiation dose in the second A) that the
he maximum
root growth and treatment (35) (SC704, 200, and radiation dose, V) has the least amount of root growth in 67/29,
respectively.

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Figure 2. the effect of irradiation on root length

The effect of dose level on root growth,, it was determined that 200 cm dose has the highest dose of
irradiation effects on root growth and, as seen, what is the least amount of impact on root growth,
growth ie the
t overall
effect of irradiation on the growth of roots are visible.
effects
visible Doses between 200 and 600 also have significant effects on
root growth at 95% confidence level.
level

Figure 3. the effect of irradiation on root growth

shoot length
In Table 1, the values of shoot elongation ANOVA and Figure (4) figure independent effect are shown,
shown as it
can be seen , the figure has a significant effect on the rate of growth of 1 percent confidence level shoot and figure
500 shows more shoot growth than 704..

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Figure 4.
4 Comparison of shoot length in cultivars tested

The values in Table 1 and Figure ANOVA shoot growth (5) at the 1% level of radiation dose significant
effect on the rate of stem elongation.
elongation

Figure 5 . Effect of radiation levels on shoot growth

It also considers the effect of radiation on shoot growth at 1% confidence level showed a significant effect.
effect
Second radiation has the highest rate of shoot growth 23.667 and emission fifth has the lowest shoot growth rate
18.8, respectively. The interaction effect of variety on the irradiation dose and the number of shoot growth at the
18.8,
table (2) has been determined that the treatment of 31 (SC704,
SC704, 200 dose and first radiation) has the fastest
growing shoot 30 (35) treatments (SC704,
SC704, 200 dose and fifth radiation) of shoot growth is lowest in 13.33.
13.33

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Figure 6. Effect of irradiation on the rate of shoot elongation.

elongation

Germination rate
In table
able (1), the values of ANOVA of germination and in shape (7) as it can be seen the variety has a
significant effect on the germination rate that was 1% confidence level and the number of SC 500 has higher
germination rate than SC704.
SC704

Figure 7.
7 Comparison of germination in cultivars tested

And also the effect of radiation on the radiation dose and speed of germination determined that the
treatments had no significant effect on germination rate that was 5% confidence level.
level

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Figure 8. the effect of different doses of radiation on germination rate

Interaction with the highest radiation dose and the rate of germination in Table (2) has determined that the
treatment (19) (figure SC 500,
500 600 dose and forth radiation) has the maximum germination rate of 18.73 and
treatment 45 (SC704,
SC704, 600 dose,
dose and fifth radiation) has the minimum germination rate 11.90.
11.90

Figure 9. Effect of irradiation on germination rate.

rate

Percentage of germination
In table
able (1) ANOVA values for germination and in shape (10)
10) the independent effect of the number
number, as you
can see,
see, the figure has a significant effect on germination percentage 99% confidence level showed higher
germination rate of SC 500..

Figure 10 .Comparison
Comparison of seed germination

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On the other hand, the effect of irradiation dose and the number has determined that these two Parameters
Parameter
and significant do not effect on germination percentage (95%).

Figure 11. Effect of different levels of radiation on germination

The figures in Table 2 Interaction between dose and radiation on seed germination has been observed to be
treated as 19 (figure
(
SC 500,
500 600 dose and fifth radiation) has the
he maximum germination percentage of 99.67 and
(45) treatment (SC704, 600 dose and fifth radiation) has the minimum germination rate 63.33.
63.33

Figure 12.
12 Effect of irradiation on germination.

diameter of the shoot

In table
able 1 ANOVA values stem diameter and number of radiation in the form of (13) and (14) cultivar effects
on stem diameter,
diameter as it is seen,
seen in a variety there is not a significant effect on stem diameter at 0.95 confidence
level
level.

Figure 13. Comparison of stem diameter in both cultivars tested

And also it results in the form of radiation dose levels (15)

15) on stem diameter at 95% confidence level that
showed no significant difference.
difference

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Figure 14. Effect of irradiation on stem diameter

The independent effect of variety on the irradiation dose and the number of stem diameter at the table (2)
has been determined that the treatment number 20 (figure SC 500, 600 and fifth radiation) has the largest diameter
shoot 19.67 and treated with 40 (vs. SC 500, 400 and fifth radiation) has the minimum percentage of germination,
germin
67/13 It should be noted that the other treatments had no significant difference at 95% confidence level.

Figure 15. Effect of different levels of radiation on stem diameter.

diameter
Table 2. Comparison of different radiation treatments in the number of SC 500
Treatment

doses

radiation

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
8
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25

100
100
100
100
100
200
200
200
200
200
400
400
400
400
400
600
600
600
600
600
800
800
800
800
800

1
2
3
4
5
1
2
3
4
5
1
2
3
4
5
1
2
3
4
5
1
2
3
4
5

stem
diameter
ab
15.00
ab
16.00
ab
15.00
ab
18.33
ab
17.67
ab
16.33
ab
16.00
ab
15.00
ab
18.67
ab
19.33
ab
16.00
ab
14.33
ab
16.00
ab
18.33
ab
19.33
ab
14.67
ab
17.33
ab
14.33
ab
18.33
a
19.67
ab
15.00
ab
16.33
ab
15.33
ab
19.33
ab
15.33

Percentage
germination
ae
90.67
ae
90.33
ai
83.00
ac
96.00
ag
86.00
ai
83.00
ai
81.67
ci
76.00
ad
93.33
ag
86.67
ai
82.67
ad
93.00
ac
96.00
ac
96.00
af
89.33
ah
84.67
ag
85.33
ag
86.67
a
99.67
ab
97.67
af
90.00
af
89.67
ad
93.33
ag
87.00
ac
95.67

germination
rate
ad
17.13
ad
17.07
ai
15.60
ab
18.27
ag
16.20
ah
15.73
ai
15.50
ci
14.23
ac
17.60
ae
16.43
ah
15.77
ac
17.57
ab
18.03
ab
18.03
ad
16.87
ag
16.10
ag
16.13
af
16.27
a
18.73
ab
18.00
ad
16.97
ad
16.93
ac
17.50
ae
16.40
ab
18.03

shoot length
ae

26.00
ac
27.00
bg
20.67
fh
18.33
ch
20.00
bh
20.33
ad
26.67
bg
22.33
bg
22.33
bg
20.67
ag
23.33
ac
27.00
ag
23.00
bg
22.67
bg
20.67
ab
27.67
bg
22.67
bg
21.33
bg
20.67
bg
21.33
ag
23.33
ag
23.33
bg
22.00
bg
21.67
bg
22.67

Root length
ae

191.3
ab
207.7
bl
136.0
ah
168.7
bl
136.7
al
142.0
af
182.3
dn
129.3
ac
202.7
dn
122.3
bm
135.0
a
214.3
ak
144.3
ae
190.7
ai
163.0
ab
206.7
ag
176.3
gq
105.7
af
181.3
ah
169.3
ae
190.7
ad
194.3
dn
128.7
ah
171.7
aj
160.7

Similar letters in each column,, the difference in the level of P <0.05 were not significantly different.
different

Intl J Agri Crop Sci. Vol., 5 (11), 1235-1244, 2013

Continued Table 2. Comparison of different treatments of radiation on the SC704

Treatment
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50

doses
100
100
100
100
100
200
200
200
200
200
400
400
400
400
400
600
600
600
600
600
800
800
800
800
800

radiation
1
2
3
4
5
1
2
3
4
5
1
2
3
4
5
1
2
3
4
5
1
2
3
4
5

stem
diameter
ab
14.33
ab
18.33
ab
15.67
ab
15.33
ab
14.33
ab
17.00
ab
17.00
ab
16.67
ab
15.00
ab
17.00
ab
14.33
ab
18.33
ab
15.67
ab
17.33
b
13.67
ab
16.67
ab
15.33
ab
15.67
ab
15.00
ab
16.00
ab
16.00
ab
15.33
ab
14.67
ab
15.00
ab
15.33

Percentage
germination
ei
71.00
ai
83.33
ci
77.33
ci
76.00
ah
84.00
ci
75.67
ah
83.67
di
73.00
fi
69.67
gi
68.00
ah
84.00
ci
68.00
di
73.67
ai
82.67
ei
72.33
di
74.33
ci
75.67
gi
68.33
gi
67.00
i
63.33
hi
65.00
bi
78.00
ei
71.33
ei
72.67
ei
64.67

germination
rate
di
13.47
ah
15.77
bi
14.70
ci
14.27
ah
15.80
ci
14.27
ah
15.83
di
13.73
ei
13.00
ei
12.80
ah
15.80
ei
12.77
ci
13.87
ai
15.53
fi
12.60
ci
14.07
ci
14.27
ei
12.90
gi
12.47
i
12.90
hi
12.23
bi
14.63
di
13.43
di
13.60
hi
12.13

shoot length
bg

21.67
dh
19.33
bg
22.67
eh
19.00
fh
17.33
a
30.00
ag
23.33
fh
17.67
eh
18.67
h
13.33
eh
19.00
bh
20.33
gh
16.67
bg
21.00
gh
16.67
eh
19.00
af
24.33
bg
21.33
bg
21.67
eh
19.00
ch
19.67
bg
22.67
bg
20.67
bg
22.00
gh
16.33

Root length
js

88.33
eo
120.70
hs
99.33
ks
84.67
ps
47.00
cn
131.00
fp
113.00
ns
61.33
ps
40.00
s
29.67
ls
69.67
ps
48.00
os
48.67
is
95.33
rs
32.00
gr
103.7
ks
67.67
ns
60.33
ms
62.33
qs
37.00
is
93.33
is
95.67
ps
46.67
ls
71.00
ps
47.67

Similar letters in each column, the difference in the level of P <0.05 were not significantly different.

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