Abstract
The present work aims to improve the quantity and quality of seeds and/or seed oil by using low doses of radiation. Sesame seeds were exposed to γ- rays at levels of 30, 60 and 90 Gy. The results show that 30, 60 and 90 Gy doses activated most of growth and yield parameters significantly (weight of plant, number of capsules, weight of capsules/plant and weight of seeds/plant), with 60 Gy being the best dose. With regard to the total oil percentage in the produced crops, few changes have been observed, which did not reach the level of significance. The amount of unsaturated fatty acid (18:1, omega 9) was increase by 10.5% at a 30 Gy dose followed by 60 Gy (1.1%). The total of amino acid content showed that 30 Gy dose recorded the highest value (350.4 mg·g−1) followed by 60 Gy (285.6 mg·g−1) as compared to the control value (254.4 mg·g−1). The values of phosphorus, potassium magnesium and iron which represent the major minerals in sesame seeds were increased in the irradiated samples.
Highlights
Sesamum indicum L. crop is grown as a source of oil; its seeds contain 50–52% oil, 17–19% protein and 16–18% carbohydrates (Ustimenko-Bakumovsky, 1980)
This work was carried out to investigate the response of sesame seeds (Sesamum indicum L.) to low doses of gamma rays for improving plant growth, yield and oil quality
The sesame seeds were irradiated at levels of 30, 60 and 90 Gy in gamma cells using Co60 as a source for radiation, in the National Center for Radiation Research and Technology (NCRRT), Cairo, Egypt
Summary
Sesamum indicum L. crop is grown as a source of oil; its seeds contain 50–52% oil, 17–19% protein and 16–18% carbohydrates (Ustimenko-Bakumovsky, 1980) It is considered a good source of oil which has very good stability due to the presence of natural antioxidants (Ashri, 2007). Gamma rays have been reported to differentially affect the morphology; anatomy, biochemistry, and physiology of a plant, depending on the irradiation level (Kim et al, 2004; Wi et al, 2005). These effects include changes in plant cellular structure and metabolism, e.g. dilution of thylakoid membranes, alteration in photosynthesis, modulation of antioxidant system, and accumulation of phenolic compounds. This work was carried out to investigate the response of sesame seeds (Sesamum indicum L.) to low doses of gamma rays for improving plant growth, yield and oil quality
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