GAMMA IRRADIATION EFFECTS ON SOME GROWTH PARAMETERS OF Lepidium sativum L

In order to study the effects of gamma rays on mean germination time (MGT), germination percentage, survival percentage, shoot and root length and, number of branches and leaves per plant, and fresh and dry weight of Lepidium sativum L current experiment was conducted. Dry seeds of Lepidum sativum L were irradiated with 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70 and 80 krad (Kr) by a Co-gamma chamber at Nuclear Institute for Food and Agriculture (NIFA), Peshawar, Pakistan. Result showed that gamma irradiation significantly affected all the above mentioned parameters except germination percentage. Mean germination time (MGT) was significantly affected and delayed at higher doses of gamma rays. However, increasing doses of gamma rays did not have significant effects on seed germination percentage. The other growth parameters showed declining tendency with increasing doses of gamma irradiation.