Effect of Gamma Irradiation on Vegetative and Root Growth of three Sugarcane Genotypes (Smoocher officinarum L.) In vitro

Sugarcane explants of three genotypes namely CO.J.64, CO.J.86 and Missan were exposed to 0,10, 20, 30,40,Gray of gamma rays,and cultured in MS medium supplemented with hormones for vegetative and root growth. The cultures were including in growth room at 25±2 degree centigrade and 16th photo period with light intensity of 1000 Lux. Results of vegetative explants of three genotypes namely Co. J.64, Co.J.86 and Missan growth revealed gradual reductions in the number of shoots, fresh, and dry weights as with the increased of gamma doses, The reduction percentage were 59.40, 59.70 and 54.40% at 40 Gray respectively, as compared with control treatment, while the dose 10 Gray increased the shoot length by 10.90%.Mean time, gamma rays were significantly affected the root formation,no roots were developed when plants treated with 40 Gray,while 10 Gray reduced the number of root formation, lengths, fresh and dry weights of roots by 28.80, 12.30, 78.30 and 58. 60% respectively as compared with the control. However the genotype Co.J.86 was significantly superior than others in numbers and lengths of the shoots with the root lengths while higher fresh and dry weights of vegetative growth were obtained in Missan genotypes. (author)