Abstract
This study examined radiation damage and the optimal gamma-ray dose for mutation breeding in oat (Avena sativa L. cv. Samhan). The seed germination rate decreased as the dose increased over 500 Gy. The median lethal dose (LD50) was approximately 392 Gy. The median reduction dose (RD50) for plant height, tiller number, root length, and flash weight was 411, 403, 394, and 411 Gy, respectively. The optimal dose of gamma irradiation for inducing oat mutation appears to be in the range 300-400 Gy. We performed the comet assay to observe nuclear DNA damage induced by gamma-ray irradiation. This assay showed a clear difference with gamma-ray treatments. DNA damage increased temporarily 7 days after treatment depending on the dose, while no significant difference was identified in response to 300 Gy 30 days after the gamma-ray treatments. The growth characteristics of the M2 generation decreased as the dose increased over 400 Gy.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
