Effect of gamma radiation on morphological, biochemical, and physiological aspects of plants and plant products

Abstract

Research on the basic interaction of radiation with biological systems has contributed to human society through various applications in medicine, agriculture, pharmaceuticals and in other technological developments. In the agricultural sciences and food technology sectors, recent research has elucidated the new potential application of radiation for microbial decontamination due to the inhibitory effect of radiation on microbial infestation. The last few decades have witnessed a large number of pertinent works regarding the utilization of radiation with special interest in γ-rays for evolution of superior varieties of agricultural crops of economic importance. In this review, general information will be presented about radiation, such as plant specificity, dose response, beneficial effects, and lethality. A comparison of different studies has clarified how the effects observed after exposure were deeply influenced by several factors, some related to plant characteristics (e.g., species, cultivar, stage of development, tissue architecture, and genome organization) and some related to radiation features (e.g., quality, dose, duration of exposure). There are many beneficial uses of radiation that offer few risks when properly employed. In this review, we report the main results from studies on the effect of γ-irradiations on plants, focusing on metabolic alterations, modifications of growth and development, and changes in biochemical pathways especially physiological behaviour.

Gamma Radiation Effects Seed Germination, Plant Growth and Yield Attributing Characters of Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill.)

“…Gamma rays were employed to developed 64% of the radiation induced mutant varieties, followed by 22% by X-rays (IAEA, 2015) gamma rays is an energetic form of electromagnetic radiations are recognized as the widely used mutagen for their simple application, good penetration, reproducibility and high mutation frequency (Chahal and Gosal, 2002) gamma rays having short wavelength with high penetrable power, interact with atoms or molecules to produce free radicals in the cells. Among the physical mutagens, gamma ray stands first in its effectiveness in the induction of mutation in crop plants (Jan et al, 2011;Verma et al, 2012).…”

Evaluation the effect of gamma irradiation on microbial, chemical and sensorial properties of peanut (Arachis hypogaea l.) seeds

“…The moisture content of peanut seeds (Al-Bachir, 2015b). Extensive research has shown that protein did not exhibit signifi cant losses during irradiation even at doses of over 10 kGy (Jan et al, 2012). During storage (after 6 and 12 months), the moisture content increased signifi cantly (p < 0.01) in both control and irradiated peanut seeds and this increase was higher in the control samples compared to irradiated ones.…”

Improvement of genetic variability in seedlings of Spathoglottis plicata orchids through X-ray irradiation

“…The growth inhibition of embryo development can be evoked by the damage of the cells of embryo and the meristem tissues, also the damage of auxin activity that very sensitive to photo-oxidation or caused by disturbance of physiological activity. Inhibition of growth caused by genome damage and disruption of mitosis, mainly due to disruption of the cell cycle at the G2/ M phase (Jan et al 2012). Inhibition of growth rate can also be triggered due to the death of meristem cells, not only by the genetic damage.…”

“…Inhibition of growth rate can also be triggered due to the death of meristem cells, not only by the genetic damage. The growth can also be suppressed by physiological disorders (De Micco and Arena 2011;Jan et al 2012). Gonzales et al (2008) was also found some inhibition of plantlets growth due to gamma-ray irradiation to the embryos of S. plicata.…”

“…Seeds are very sensitive stage to radiation that precisely used as an irradiation target to obtain new characteristics (Jan et al 2012;Shu et al 2012;Kara et al 2015). Irradiation on orchids is usually directed towards on its pod.…”