The effect of different levels of radiation was determined using four set-ups-10kR, 30kR, 50 kR, and the control (no radiation). The four set-ups were observed for nine weeks and growth (in cm), germination, and survival rate was measured. Results showed that at the right level of radiation level (10 kR), radiation have a positive effect on the plant growth and has the same germination and survival rate from the control set up. The 30 kR set up and 50 kR set up are relatively smaller in growth than the control set up. Thus, increasing the radiation level above 10 kr corn inhibits its growth in terms of height and decreases the percent germination ofcorn (Zea mays L.) but with right amount of radiation at 10 kr radiation has a positive effects in terms of growth.
INTRODUCTION
According to (Mendioro, Laude, Barrion, Diaz, Mendoza, & Ramirez, 2010), Mutations are changes in the genetic material that are heritable and essentially permanent. Mutations either may be spontaneous, or induced by physical or chemical agents.
Ionizing radiation such as X-rays, protons, neutrons and alpha, beta, and gamma rays from radioactive sources like radium and cobalt-90, X-rays and other ionizing radiation is one of the common mutagenic agents that break DNA strand which produce chromosome breaks rather than base changes (Ramirerz, Mendioro, & Laude, 2010).
Ionizing radiation can penetrate tissues and undergo ionization forming ions. These ions undergo chemical reactions to have a stable chemical configuration. While doing these, ions produce breaks in chromosomes, (DNA) which induce mutation (Das, 2006).
The biological effect of ionizing radiation depends mainly on the amount of energy absorbed by the biological system of which, of course, the chromosomes are the most target (Harten, 1998). However according to Wort (1941) as cited by (Sax, 1955) wheat seeds irradiated with low doses of X rays produced larger plants than the control.
The study aimed to
Bibliography: Das, L. D. (2006). Genetics and Plant Breeding. New Age International Ltd. Harten, A. M. (1998). Mutation Breeding: Theory and Practical Applications. Cambridge University Press. Mendioro, M. S., Laude, R. P., Barrion, A. A., Diaz, M. Q., Mendoza, J. C., & Ramirez, D. A. (2010). Genetics: Laboratory Manual 12th Revision. 7 Lakes Printing Press. Ramirerz, D. A., Mendioro, M. S., & Laude, R. P. (2010). Lectures in Genetics Ninth Edition. 7 Lakes Printing Press. Sax, K. (1955). The Effect of Ionizing Radiation on Plant Growth. American Journal of Botany, 360-364.