Effects of gamma radiation on the development three varieties of faba beans (Vicia faba L.)

The use of ionizing radiation as an auxiliary tool in mutagenic induction has been effective in the world. So, in this work is evaluated the gamma radiosensitivity of three faba bean varieties (Vicia faba L.), to establish the doses of radiation that induce alterations without destroying the plant and to establish the dose range that reduces the height of the plant with the least deleterious effects, which would lead to the improvement of these varieties. Non-irradiated (0 Gy, control) and irradiated seeds with 60Co gamma rays (100, 200, 300 and 400Gy) were evaluated in laboratory for seed germination. As the radiation did not interfere in the germination in the laboratory, the experiment was carried out in greenhouse using a factorial 5 x 3 test, with radiation doses of (0, 100, 200, 300 and 400Gy) and faba bean varieties (larger white, smaller white, and mottled), in completely randomized blocks, and four repetitions. The data indicate a low percentage of germination (<25%) in the 300 and 400Gy doses. In the 100 and 200Gy doses the germination was above 50%. The results show that there was no reduction in germination or germination speed in relation to the control (0 Gy). (author)