Abstract
This study was conducted to investigate the influence of gamma rays on stomatal parameters and the interaction of these traits with agronomy of the sugarcane crop. Three genotypes of sugarcane (NIA-0819, NIA-98, and BL4) were exposed to four doses of gamma radiation (10, 20, 30, and 40 Gy) and then subjected to field trials. Stomatal length, width, and density were observed using scanning electron microscopy. Moreover, agronomic and sugar-related characteristics of the crop were determined at maturity. The stomatal parameters augmented at two lower doses of gamma radiation (10 and 20 Gy) and declined under higher doses (30 and 40 Gy). The maximum stomatal length was observed in NIA-0819 at 10 Gy (63.71 µm), whereas NIA-98 and BL4 demonstrated highest stomatal length under 20 Gy (54.11 and 57.40 µm, respectively), indicating a role of genetic factors in varietal response. Similar trend was noticed for stomatal width and density as well. The lowermost treatment (10 Gy) of NIA-0819 produced maximum stomatal density (115.31 stomata mm-2 on the abaxial surface). Adaxial stomatal density was significantly lower than the abaxial one. Sugar quality attributes revealed a different tendency. Sucrose contents of BL4 increased gradually from 12.33% at control to 14.54% at 40 Gy. Yield and yield-contributing traits of genotypes indicated a strong positive correlation with the stomatal parameters. The present study suggested that gamma radiations cause variations in stomatal characteristics of sugarcane. These changes further influence the photosynthetic activity and instigate a direct impact on the agronomic performance of the crop.
Highlights
This study was conducted to investigate the influence of gamma rays on stomatal parameters and the interaction of these traits with agronomy of the sugarcane crop
Viz. 10, 20, 30, and 40 Gy of gamma rays, it was observed that the stomatal size increased at lower doses; whereas, it reduced at higher doses
Similar results were earlier reported by Khan et al.32,50. Kottapalli[51] accounted that elevated amount of sucrose induces bulging of guard cells which leads to the closure of stomata
Summary
This study was conducted to investigate the influence of gamma rays on stomatal parameters and the interaction of these traits with agronomy of the sugarcane crop. The present study suggested that gamma radiations cause variations in stomatal characteristics of sugarcane These changes further influence the photosynthetic activity and instigate a direct impact on the agronomic performance of the crop. Over the course of evolution, plants have adopted numerous ways of stress tolerance Such mechanisms include the modulation of the life cycle, changes in C O2 assimilation and water transpiration, and modifications in growth and development. Many of these responses relate to the imperative role played by s tomata[1]. Exploring the vicissitudes in stomata as a result of physical mutagenesis can provide interesting insights into its functionality In such investigations, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) is an excellent technique to explore the anatomy of plant tissues. Many of the plant structures including stomata, papillae, and trichomes, etc. and variations induced in these plant structures can be thoroughly examined
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