Modulation of some quantitative and qualitative characteristics in rice (Oryza sativa L.) and mung (Phaseolus mungo L.) by ionizing radiation

The present work describes radiation-induced effects on some morphological characters of a cereal and a pulse-producing crop in India. Co-60 gamma source is used for irradiating (from 50 to 350 Gy) the rice (Oryza sativa L., Cv-2233) and mung (Phaseolus mungo L.). Irradiation at lower doses of gamma rays effectively influences improving the morphological traits like seedling/plant height, tiller number, panicle number, panicle length, seed per particle, seed per pod, pod length, pod number, while exposure at higher doses results in depletion of such parameters, Effective stimulatory dose for Oryza sativa L. Cv-2233 is 50 Gy and that for Phaseolus mungo L. is 200 Gy. Significance of such stimulation correlated with yielding ability of the plant concerned is discussed in the light of newer aspects in agricultural research. (C) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.