Effects of gamma radiations on some morphological and biochemical characteristics of Brassica napus L. (variety Altex)

Abstract

In the present study, the variability caused by gamma rays in qualitative and quantitative traits comprising days to germination, days to flowering, plant height, number of branches/plant, number of siliqua/plant, number of leaves/plant, number of seeds/siliqua, siliqua length, 1000-seed weight, oil, Glucosinulate, moisture, proteins, oleic acid, linolenic acid and erucic acid contents were investigated. Seeds of Brassica napus L. (variety Altex) were treated with 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 Krad doses of gamma rays. The results showed that days to germination and days to flowering were delayed (8 and 67 days respectively) in higher doses compared to control (5 and 66 days respectively). Higher doses of radiation decreased plant height (79.55 cm), number of branches/plant (7), number of siliqua/plant (120) and number of leaves/plant (10) compared to control (108.20 cm, 5.8, 174 and 12.2 respectively). An increase was noticed for number of seeds/siliqua (19.8) and siliqua length (4.84 cm) with higher doses of radiations compared to control (17.6 and 4.68 cm respectively). A significant decrease was noticed in oil percentage (35.53%), Glucosinulate contents (128.13 µmol/g), moisture percentage (4.53%), Linolenic acid percentage (11.30%) and Erucic acid percentage (49.83%) compared to control (37.07%, 133.20 µmol/g, 4.76%, 11.83% and 53.10% respectively). A significant increase was noticed in proteins (32.03%) and oleic acid (34.80%) contents as compared to control (30.70% and 31.86% respectively).