TITLE:
Effect of Low Gamma Irradiation on the Germination and Morphological Characteristics of Broad Beans (Vicia faba L.), Mung Beans (Vigna radiata L.), and Peas (Pisum sativum L.) Seedlings
AUTHORS:
Abidemi Atteh, Adesoji Adeyeye
KEYWORDS:
Ionising Radiation, Morphometric Parameters, Germination Parameters, ICRP DCRLs
JOURNAL NAME:
Natural Resources,
Vol.13 No.5,
June
30,
2022
ABSTRACT: Understanding the effects of ionising radiation (IR)
on plants has been a major focus of research. Acute high-dose effects are
well-documented and understood (mainly through laboratory testing). Lower
doses, on the other hand, are less understood, as low dosage research is
controversial, and there are only a few studies that use low and ecologically relevant
IR levels, particularly those conducted under controlled conditions. The effect
of low gamma radiation was investigated in this study using Vicia faba L., Vigna radiata L., and Pisum sativum L. Healthy and viable
seeds of these plants were irradiated with varying doses of gamma radiation (Cs−137 source) and sown under controlled environmental conditions. The doses/dose
rates used were within the scope of the International Commission on Radiological
Protection’s Derived Consideration Reference Level (DCRL) for these groups of
plants (1 - 10 mGy∙d−1), so this study tested this DCRL. Observations were
made on certain germination parameters and growth traits like germination
percentage and rate, shoot and root length, seed weight, number of leaves, wet
and dry biomass, plant height, leaf chlorophyll content, and leaf area. In the
germination phase, the doses employed in this experiment did not affect the
seeds’ weight, germination percentage, and rate, but there were some
interesting effects on the root and shoot length; as all irradiated groups
performed better than the control group (particularly the 16.2 mGy and 48.5 mGy
dose in V. radiata and P. sativum,
while the 1070 mGy dose had the highest value in V. faba). However, the plants
were able to compensate for the effects observed in the germination phase and
by the end of the experiment, there were no statistically significant effects
(at 0.05 p level) in all the morphometric parameters studied; the visible
organs appeared normal, and growth rate was normal. This study, therefore,
concludes that the DCRL used to protect these groups of plants from the effects
of IR (1 - 10 mGy∙d−1) is appropriate and present regulation appears
to be suitable.