Effect of gamma rays on growth and survival of Albizia procera

The present study depicts the sensitivity and tolerance level of Albizia procera seeds to different doses of gamma rays. Air dried seeds of Albizia procera were gamma irradiated with continuous and fractionated doses of 0.1, 0.2, 0.4, 0.8 kGy using a cobalt 60 source. The radiosensitivity of this plant was estimated on the basis of germination, survival percentage and different growth parameters i.e. number of leaves, leaflet area, fresh weight and dry weight etc. It was observed that the lower doses of gamma rays (0.1, 0.2 KGy) enhance the growth vigour while higher doses decrease the same. The higher doses of gamma rays result in reducing the shooting growth, loss of pigmentation in leaves and various other abnormalities. LD-50 has been calculated for different parameters and their radiosensitivity has been assessed. (author)