Effects of gamma rays irradiation on seed germination and growth of hard wheat

The effects of irradiation with low doses (0, 10, 20 and 30 Gy) of radioactive cobalt (⁶⁰Co) γ rays on seed germination, shoot and epicotyl growth of hard wheat (Triticum durum Desf.) were investigated under laboratory and glasshouse conditions. Irradiated wheat seeds kept their germination speed and capacity levels compared to the control. However, improvements of +18 and +32% were, respectively obtained in root number and root length at the 20-Gy dose. Moreover, the 20-Gy-irradiation dose generated an increase of +33% in epicotyl length. The 20-Gy-irradiation dose improved the root length by +32% and root number by +75% in plants grown on liquid medium. A lower root length increase of +23% was obtained with the same treatment under glasshouse growing conditions. These results show that the in depth development stimulation of hard wheat roots following gamma ray treatment may be used for drought control.