ISHS Acta Horticulturae 215: Seed Research in Horticulture
EFFECT OF GAMMA RADIATIONS ON THE NUTS (SEEDS) OF ANACARDIUM OCCIDENTALE |
| Authors: | A.S. Khalatkar, Y.R. Bhargava |
| Abstract:
Anacardium occidentale Linn. (cashew nut) is a tropical coastal plant of great economic importance. Its kernels are in good demand all over the world, although the cultivation is limited to a few tropical countries. Hence, the investigations on the effect of gamma irradiations in the nuts of cashew were undertaken. For this study, physiologically similar nuts were irradiated in a 60 Co-Gamma Cell with 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 kR. These were administered at 1.2 kR/min. Lower doses of gamma radiations had no effect on germination, however, 50 kR resulted in decreased germination (35 %). Seedling growth was influenced considerably by 10, 40 and 50 kR. Branching was profuse in 40 kR plants. However, flowering and fruiting was profuse after four years. Plants from 10 kR exhibited early flowering and fruiting, besides the nuts from 10 and 50 kR plants were comparatively bolder and weighed more than that of control. Thus, gamma irradiation of cashew with 10 to 20 kR improved the performance of seeds in the form of seedling growth and establishment. | |
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