Stimulating effect of low dose gamma-ray radiation on the growth and physiological activities of Chinese cabbage cultivars

Abstract

To clarify the stimulating effects of low dose gamma-ray radiation(60Co), 4 cultivars of Chineses cabbage (Brassica campestris L. cv. Hanyoreum, cv. Tropic emperor, cv. Manjeom and cv. Sulim eockari) and 1-5 years old seeds were irradiated with dose of 0.5 Gy-20 Gy and cultivated in the green house and the experimental field. The germination rate of seeds, early growth and yield of Chinese cabbage increased positively in low dose irradiation group. The increase of the seedling height and fresh weight in 8 Gy and 12 Gy irradiated groups was 20% and 40%, respectively. Old seeds irradiated by low dose gamma-ray radiation in the range 1-2 Gy of Manjeom and Sulim eockari cultivars showed remarkable growth, significantly compared to the new, 1-2 year old seeds. The germination rates and seedling heights of 3-, 4-, and 5-year old seeds increased at the 4 Gy-, 1 Gy-, and 0.5 Gy-irradiation group respectively. There were significant stimulating effects of radiation on the plant height, fresh weight and diameter of all seeds grown in the experimental field of 4 Gy- and 8 Gy-irradiation group. The seedlings grown from seeds treated by low dose gamma-ray radiation showed higher peroxidase and catalase activities than non-treated seedlings.