Effect of gamma irradiation on germination growth and biochemical parameters of Pterocarpus santalinus, an endangered species of Eastern Ghats

Seeds of highly medicinal plant,P.santalinuswere subjected to different doses(0, 10, 25, 50, 100, 150, 200, 250 and 300 Gy) of gamma radiation using Cosource and observed for germination, growth and biochemical attributes. Germination percentage was found to be highest at 50 Gy whereas, speed of germination increased up to 100 Gy. A threefold increase in vigor and growth in terms of dry mass was observed at 50 Gy and 100 Gyrespectively. An enhanced production of chlorophyll pigments like Ch-a, Ch-b, and total chlorophyll in leaf was observed at a dose of 50 Gy along with the total carbohydrate. An increase in phenolic content was observed at 25 Gy andmost of the treatments showed an enhanced radical scavenging activity compared to unirradiatedcontrol. Results obtained in the present research showed that low dose of gamma irradiation could be useful in enhancing growth and germination of economically important and endangered P. santalinus plant.