Abstract
This study was conducted to determine the LD50 and effect of gamma ray on germination percentage, plant height, survival percentage, root length, root dry weight and shoot dry weight of seedlings derived from seeds of long bean (Vigna sesquipedalis). Seeds of this crop were treated with 300, 400, 500, 600 and 800 Gy gamma rays at Malaysian Institute of Nuclear Technology (MINT). The treated seeds including control were sown in sand beds in size 4.6 x 0.7 m2 in a greenhouse at Horticulture Unit, Universiti Putra Malaysia Bintulu Campus (UPMKB). After germination, plants were transferred into polybags. Each polybag contained 1.2 kg blended growth medium with top soil, sand, and processed chicken dung ratio of 3:2:1. Standard procedures were used to observe and record the variables studied in this research. The experiment was designed as a 4 x 6 factorial Completely Randomized Design with 3 replications. Lethal dose 50 % of population (LD50) was assayed. The study revealed that germination percentage, plant height, survival percentage, root length, root dry weight and shoot dry weight decreased with increasing dose of gamma ray. The 800 Gy gamma ray dose in particular had a pronounced effect on these morphological characteristics probably because of injury it might have caused to the seeds of the long bean. As a result, poor growth and development was noticed. The LD50 for survival and height ranged between 600-800 Gy and 400-500 Gy, respectively. Generally, higher gamma ray doses particularly 800 Gy significantly affected the morphological characteristics of long bean seedlings obtained from irradiated seeds.
Highlights
Mutation means a sudden heritable change in the genetic material at the gene or chromosome level[1]
With appropriate exposure doses on long bean seeds to ionizing irradiation such as gamma rays which are known for their simple application, good penetration, reproducibility, high mutation frequency and less disposal problems [1], this crop may undergo desirable mutation that could be of significant benefit to agriculture
Applied Sci., 4 (12): 1090-1093, 2007 germination percentage, plant height, survival percentage, root length, root dry weight and shoot dry weight of seedlings derived from seeds of long bean (Vigna sesquipedalis)
Summary
Mutation means a sudden heritable change in the genetic material at the gene or chromosome level[1] They may be caused by error during cell division or by exposure to the DNA-damaging agents or mutagens in the environment. The cumulative number of officially released mutant varieties in the world indicates that Asia tops the rest of the continents [2]. It must be stressed there is only a few mutation breeding studies on long bean (native of Southeast Asia) though the economic significance of this crop cannot be overemphasized as it is widely grown in for instance in Southeast Asia (including Malaysia and Thailand) and Southern China for living.
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