Effect of radiation and some micronutrients on some legumes

This work was carried out to study the effect of pre - planting gamma radiation and some micro nutrients (Mn and Mo) on soybean ( c v. Clark) and peanut (c v. Giza - 4). In this respect, two field experiments were conducted under the condition of newly reclaimed soil, namely: sandy clay loam, to study the effect of radiating soybean and peanut seeds with gamma rays (0,5,10,20,40,80 and 160 G ry) before sowing on plant growth, nodulation, yield and yield components as well as total plant content of N and Mn. In addition, four pot experiments were carried out under the greenhouse condition to study the application effect of Mn (0,5,10,and 20 ppm) and Mo (0,2.5,5.0, 7.5 and 10 ppm) on plant growth, nodulation and total content of N and Mn of both soybean and peanut plants. The important results could be summarized as follows: Effect of radiation on: A - Irradiation of soybean seeds before planting with gamma rays at relatively low doses ranged from 10 to 40 G ry considerably stimulated plant growth causing a great increase in the dry matter production. B - Peanut Plant growth of peanut was stimulated as a result of pre-planting gamma radiation ranged from 10 to 40 G ry . The highest dry matter production was obtained by gamma rays at 20 G ry, whereas the dose of 160 G ry depressed it when compared with the non-irradiated plants