Mutagenic effect of 60Co γ-rays irradiation on dry seeds of caper spurge (Euphorbia lathyris L.)

Dry seeds of caper spurge (Euphorbia lathyris L.) were irradiated by the 60Co γ-rays of doses (0 ∼ 800Gy) at 1Gy/min dose rate, and the character during the germination and seedling stage were investigated in M1 generation. The results indicated that irradiation has no obvious effects on germination rate, but the significance negative effects on germination potential, germination index, vigor index, and growth of seedling. The differences among all the treatments reached the significance level of 0.05 or 0.01, and were increased gradually with seedling growth and the increase of dose. According to the standard of VID50 of the seed vigor index and GR50 of the growth of seedling, it can be predicted that the appropriate irradiation dose for caper spurge was 400 ∼ 600Gy. (authors)