Lipase activity of gamma-irradiated groundnut has been reported. The dosage levels: 10, 30, 50, 70, 90 and 120 Kiloroentgen (kr) units have different effects on lipase. Radiation levels of 50 kr units and above induced damage to the active centers. Lipase activity was found to decrease during the initial stages of germination, and to increase in later stages. After reaching maximum value, the activity decreased. The lipase of control seeds doubled during germination in light. Increase in irradiated seeds was about 1.5-fold. Maximum activity for seeds treated under different conditions was attained at different periods of germination. Plant growth and the behaviour of lipase has been explained on the basis of other metabolic factors such as: ascorbic acid oxidase, amino acids and free fatty acids liberated during germination, and their mutual effects.

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The investigation comprises the study of Ascorbic‐acid‐oxidase (AAO) and Ascorbic acid (AA) of a special variety of groundnut, with reference to gamma irradiation in the range of 10 to 120 Kr units and different periods of germination. Dormant seeds show no AAO and AA. In general both AAO and AA increase with the period of germination. The rate of increase of AA is faster than that of AAO. In case of control and irradiated seeds, AAO and AA after reaching maximum values, decrease once again. The dosage level of 10 Kr is more effective for the optimum activity. AA of control seeds grown in dark attains a maximum value earlier than that of control seeds germinated in light. AA is found to be in increasing order with the increase in radiation dose and for the same period of germination the radiation dose of 120 Kr units has pronounced effect. It has been also noted that amino acids and carbohydrate contents developed during germination play a great role on the behaviour of AA. In case of irradiated seeds the higher AA content produced during germination might not be the only criteria for stimulatory effect on plant growth.

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