Comparative assessment of some physiological and cytological attributes following gamma irradiation exposure to dry and dry irradiated stored seeds of Nigella sativa L. (black cumin)

Abstract

Dry seeds (moisture content: 5.0%) of Nigella sativa L. (Family: Ranunculaceae, common name: black cumin; spice yielding plant of commerce with immense therapeutic values) are exposed to different doses of gamma irradiations (doses: 25, 50, 100, 200 and 300 Gy). Dry irradiated (A type) and irradiated stored (B type) seeds (12 months storage in control laboratory conditions under desiccation) are assessed for different physiological (germination and seedling growth) and cytological (mitotic index, chromosomal aberration types and total aberration frequency) parameters. The objective of the study is to assess the exposure types on this study material with the view to foresee whether or not irradiated seeds possess any potentiality to design experiment on gamma irradiation induced mutagenesis for crop improvement. Results obtained are discussed. Minimization of cytological abnormalities in B type seeds is significant and it is in the direction of the objective undermined.