Gamma radiation effects on growth and yield attributes of Psoralea corylifolia L. with reference to enhanced production of psoralen

Abstract

The present work describes radiation-induced effects on vegetative, reproductive traits and psoralen content in Psoralea corylifolia L. The effects of gamma radiation on Psoralea seeds were investigated by exposing seeds with doses of 2.5, 5, 10, 15 and 20 kGy at dose rate of 1.65 kGyh -1 and studying the plant growth at three developmental stages: preflowering, flowering and post flowering (seed to seed) after irradiation. Irradiation with lower doses of gamma rays significantly improved vegetative traits while higher doses proved depressing for same parameters. Similar trend was followed in reproductive traits. Psoralen, showed highest concentration in seeds (7.56%) at 20 kGy and lowest in control roots (0.23%). Increment in psoralen was striking for higher gamma doses applied. These long-term changes in plant development may be attributed to alteration in plant genome induced by irradiation. The results show in depth development stimulation and enhancement of secondary metabolite in Psoralea corylifolia L. following low and high dose treatment respectively depicting the potential of gamma rays in plant biotechnology and metabolomics.

Response of Datura innoxia Linn. to Gamma Rays and Its Impact on Plant Growth and Productivity

“…It is well documented for several plant species [18,19]. In the present study, high radiation doses could reduce the root and shoot lengths of D. innoxia up to 29 and 17 %, respectively.…”

“…At low radiation doses, the significant improvement in the biomass could possibly be due to elevated physiological activities of cells, leading to stimulated cell division/cell elongation [3,18,23]. However, higher doses reduced the growth rate, presumably because of alteration of metabolic processes due to nucleic-acid disruption, which in turn disturbed the hormonal action.…”

Anti-oxidant modulation in response to gamma radiation induced oxidative stress in developing seedlings of Psoralea corylifolia L.

“…However, for other plant metabolites, diverse effects of irradiation on some important ingredients have been reported (Kamat and Venkatachalam, 2004;Khattak et al 2008). Such radiation practices, though within range of low doses (5e500 Gy) can elevate the physiological activities of cells in plants and photosynthetic microbes by ameliorating germination and growth rates (Thapa, 2004;Klarizze, 2005;Melki and Sallemi, 2008;Melki and Marouni, 2009;Jan et al, 2010) improving crop yields (Kim et al, 1998;Al-Safadi et al, 2000). However, irradiation with higher doses (2 kGye20 kGy) of gamma rays disturbs the synthesis of proteins (Xiuzher, 1994), enzyme activity (Zaka et al, 2002(Zaka et al, , 2004AlRumaih and Al-Rumaih, 2008;Vandenhove et al, 2009;Stajner et al, 2009;Jan et al, in press).…”

Effects of presowing gamma irradiation on the photosynthetic pigments, sugar content and carbon gain of Cullen corylifolium (L.) Medik

“…Further ever, gamma irradiation has been suggested for quarantine treatment and as valid method of decontamination of medicinal herbs (Variyar et al, 1998;Maity et al, 2009). Gamma rays are known to influence plant growth and development by inducing cytological, genetical, biochemical, physiological and morphogenetic changes in cells and tissues (Gunckel and Sparrow, 1961;Jan et al, 2010). Research on the effects of gamma rays on food sources and animal cells has been done, with little information to date on medicinal plants (Sanada, 1986).…”

“…Several reports on the stimulatory effects on plant growth using radioactive rays at low doses are available. Such radiation practices, although within range of low doses (5-500 Gy) can enhance the physiological activities of cells in plants and photosynthetic microbes by ameliorating germination and growth rates (Thiede et al, 1995;AlSafadi and Simon, 1996;Lee et al, 1998;Thapa, 2004;Puzon, 2005;Melki and Sallami, 2008;Melki and Marouni, 2009;Jan et al, 2010), increase stress resistance (Zaka et al, 2002;Lee et al, 2002a;2002b; and/ or improving crop yields (Wiendl et al, 1995;Al-Safadi et al, 2000). On the erstwhile hand, high dose of gamma ray (2-20 kGy), applied to the seed before sowing, disturbs the protein synthesis (Xiuzher, 1994), results in improper hormone levels (Dwelle, 1975;Rabie et al, 1996), altered enzyme activity (Al-Rumaih and Al-Rumaih, 2008;Vandenhove et al, 2009;Stajner et al, 2009;Jan et al, 2011b), impaired leaf gas and water exchange (Stoeva and Bineva, 2001).…”