Studies the Effects of Low Dose of Gamma Rays on the Behaviour of Chickpea under Various Conditions

In this study, the irradiation effects spring chickpea seeds with low doses (0, 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 Gy) of radioactive cobalt (60Co) gamma-rays, on the germination characteristics as well as on the root and shoot growth, are investigated. The effects of such irradiation doses on the relative water content and cell membrane stability following a water deficit, are also studied. The irradiated seeds kept their germination speed and capacity in Petri dishes. On Murashige and Skoog (MS) liquid medium, the dose of 15 Gy induced a significant improvement (nearly 20%) in root length as compared with the 0 Gy dose. Under glass house conditions, the root and shoot lengths and dry weights of plants grown from seeds irradiated with a dose of 15 Gy, are found to be improved at rates of 19 and 89%, respectively when compared with plants issued from non-irradiated seeds. The same irradiation dose allowed the plants subjected to a water deficit to maintain a better water level and a more stable cell membrane as compared to the control plants.