INFLUENCE OF GAMMA RADIATION EFFECTS ON WHEAT SEEDLING GROWTH AND GERMINATION

Abstract

Seeds of wheat were exposed to different doses of gamma rays and sown in wet sands. Analysis showed that eight days after germination the seedlings growth decreases with increasing dose, very rapidly within the first 40Krads and slowly thereafter until the killing dose⁺⁺ was reached about 500Krads when the shoot and the root failed to develop. Seed storage for about twenty one days after irradiation produced a greater reduction in seedling growth, and a lowering from the killing dose from about 500krads to 300krads. Soaking the seedlings in water for one hour immediately after irradiation improved the seedling growth.