Effect of low-dose gamma irradiation on the growth of young sunflower plants and on the composition on fatty acids in dormant and germinating seeds

The effects of different doses of 60Co-gamma rays (500, 1000, 1500, 2000 and 10000 rad) on the growth of young sunflower plants and on the composition of fatty acids in dormant and germinating seeds were studied. The lowest dose stimulated the growth and the weight increase of young sunflower plant. The largest increase in stem weight was 12.30%. Doses of 1000 and 1500 rad also increased the height of plants and the weights of stems and roots. The dose of 10000 rad decreased both the growth and the weight of plants. The most evident decrease was in the weight of cotyledon leaves. It may be concluded that gamma irradiation had a greater effect on the growth than on the weight of young sunflower plants. Gamma irradiation also changed the composition of fatty acids in dormant and germinating seeds: in dormant seeds, the quantity of saturated fatty acids increased. However, these changes were not significant. (author)