The Effect of Gamma Radiation Dosage on the Germination, Growth Traits,

And Survival Percentage of Corn (Zea mays)

Daniel Seth B. Andal

ABSTRACT
The objective of this study is to determine the effect of different gamma
radiation to the DNA of corn (Zea mays) through examination of its growth
and development in terms of height, germination, and survival. Four setups
of seeds were exposed to different doses of gamma radiation – 0kR, 10kR,
30kR, and 50kR. The seeds undergone observation along with the six
weeks of its cultivation where the height and the number of plants were
counted every three days in those weeks. The results showed that the
controlled group of 0kR displayed the highest average height but the group
of 10kR plants obtained the highest survival and germination rate
establishing it to be the optimal amount of radiation exposure to corn.
Deteriorating measurements were observed as the radiation increases to
30kR and 50kR which indicates that it is over the limit of radiation that
corn can tolerate due to damage and hindrance to its growth and
development. Further studies can test radiation levels between the range of
10kR to 30kR to determine the highest point of radiation a corn can tolerate
while simultaneously developing to its optimal yield.

INTRODUCTION measurement for this is in as Rad or unit of

Mutation, as defined by Shiel Jr.(2018), is a
permanent structural alteration in the DNA or
the RNA. Most of the living organisms, it
occur in the DNA. Several cases shows that
mutation can have minimal effect that can be
treated or it can cause harm to an organism. It
can serve as an advantage or disadvantage
depending on its effects on the affected
organism. Apart from that, it is also defined
as a raw material for evolution since it is
heritable and counted as change in
characteristics of species over generation as it
undergoes natural selection. Gamma
radiation is a way of inducing mutation to an
organism as it is a factor that leads to DNA
altercation. Gamma radiation is described by
NASA (2010) to have the shortest
wavelengths and most energy than any wave
in the electromagnetic spectrum. The
absorbed ionized radiation dose, in this case,
kiloRad. It is mainly used in treating cancer
and gamma ray bursts. Gamma radiation are
naturally generated on nuclear explosions,
lightning, and radioactive decay.
Gamma radiation as a factor leading to
mutation means that it has a significant effect
on the DNA, and on a larger scale, the
chromosomes. Induction of these forms of
energy accumulates phenolic compounds
upon the biomolecules contained within an
organism. This leads to decrease in
germination and survival rate to plant and
related organisms. On the molecular scale,
chromosomal injury in the seed embryo was
a detrimental effect of gamma radiation to the
DNA of the plant. But it is dependent to the
capacity of the plant in tolerating different
dosage of radiation emitted upon them.
A study conducted by Espinola and Yazon
(n.d.) determined the effect of gamma
radiation to cytology of corn. Their findings
revealed that increased radiation dose
increases the breakage of chromosome which
leads to nuclear imbalance. Most of the
aberrations they have observed are
chromosome bridges and rearrangements
which they have concluded to result in cell
lethality if followed by mitosis which leads to
inhibitory effect to radiation-exposed plants.
Another study conducted by Cosma et.al
(2013) explained that exposure of corn to
gamma radiation decreased the physiological
parameters as seeds were exposed to higher
doses. Their results also showed that at their
highest gamma exposure at 50kR, does not
have a surviving plant succeeding 10 days of
the experiment. They also considered the
biochemical differences with photosynthetic
pigment as their basis. It is revealed that
chlorophyll a was higher than chlorophyll b
in both irradiated and non-irradiated
seedlings.
Furthermore, Foster, Nakagawa, and Shu
(2012) studied that gamma radiation induces
mutation in crops through ways of
photoelectric effect, Compton scattering, and
pair production. These ways leads to
improper germination to some seedlings and
shorter life span within the following weeks.
Through these related studies, we can
hypothesize that gamma radiation lowers the
average height, germination rate, and
survival rate of corn plants after being
observed and cultivated for six weeks
therefore, 0kR will exhibit the optimal yield
among the other radiation dosage.
The objectives of this study is to determine
the effects of different dosage of seed
irradiation to the parameters such as average
height, germination rate, and survival rate of
corn plants. Additional to that is to discuss
the reason why gamma radiation has a
hindering effect to the gene expression and to
the characteristics of its result to the corn
plants.
This study was conducted in the Institute of
Biological Sciences, University of the
Philippines Los Baños, Laguna through 18th
of March to 26th of April, 2019 in order to
determine the effects of different doses of
gamma radiation to corn. Parameters such as
average height, germination rate, and
survival rate were analyzed through the
course of the experiment.
METHODOLOGY
Seed Irradiation
Forty seeds were divided into four sets were
subjected to different treatment of exposure
to gamma radiation as it is irradiated with
gamma ray from Co-60. These sets were
distinguished by 10 seedlings each with a
controlled group of a set that is not subjected
to radiation. The remaining sets were
subjected to 10 kiloRad, 30 kiloRad, and 50
kiloRad of gamma radiation.
Planting and Cultivation
The seeds were planted in columns according
to their set on a vacant field along the area of
Ecoinformatics behind the Wing C of
Institute of Biological Sciences in the
University of the Philippines Los Baños. It
were planted in similar manner with the same
depth and distal positions and subjected to
equal amount of shade and sunlight. Each set
were labelled with plastic spoons to easily
distinguish the location of each seed. The
students watered and monitored the growth of
seeds at the frequency of three times per week
at the period of March 18 to April 26 of year
2019. The instruments used were a ruler and
a watering can for this procedure.
Data Gathering and Analysis
The results gained after the six weeks of
observation were divided into three: average
height, germination rate, and survival rate.
Each of these were measured in all of the four
sets. To obtain the average height of each
plant, it is measured by a ruler from its sprout
base to its tip portion. Germination was based
on the number of plants with seedlings that
sprouted compared to the total number of
seeds contained in each set. The number of
plants measured on the last day of
observation served as the index for survival. Figure I. Growth trend of corn plant set-ups
The following formula were used for the based on the recorded Average Height for Six
calculation and further analysis of the results: weeks
Average Height (cm) =
𝑇𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑜𝑓 𝑎𝑙𝑙 𝑡ℎ𝑒 ℎ𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 𝑚𝑒𝑎𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑒𝑑 Figure 1 shows the trend of the growth
(E1) observation of the corn plants in the span of
10

Germination rate (%) = six weeks. It can be observed that the trend
𝑁𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟 𝑜𝑓 𝑠𝑒𝑒𝑑𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑔𝑒𝑟𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑑 of the controlled group, the non-irradiated
𝑥 100
𝑇𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑛𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟 𝑜𝑓 𝑠𝑒𝑒𝑑𝑠 𝑜𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑠𝑒𝑡/𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑦 group, recorded the highest among the other
(E2) sets. The average height of 10kR was
Survival rate (%) = observed to be higher than of the sprouts in
𝑁𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟 𝑜𝑓 𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑛𝑡𝑠 𝑜𝑛 𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑡 𝑑𝑎𝑦 𝑜𝑓 𝑜𝑏𝑠𝑒𝑟𝑣𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 30kR for the first four weeks only. Whereas
𝑥 100
𝐻𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑒𝑠𝑡 𝑛𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟 𝑜𝑓 𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑛𝑡𝑠 𝑜𝑏𝑠𝑒𝑟𝑣𝑒𝑑 the average height of the sprouts irradiated
(E3) with 50kR were only observed for the first
week and measured 0 for the remaining
weeks. These results confides similarly with
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION a study conducted by Atta et.al (2008) where
Different dosage of gamma radiation was they additionally explained that root length
discovered to have significant effects to the also decreases as the dose of irradiation
corn. The effects on average height, increases.
germination, and survival are presented on
this chapter.

Figure II. Percent germination of corn

plants after six weeks of observation
The germination of the corn plants were of the plant. On molecular basis, it is possible
recorded and shown in Figure 2. It can be that the attributed higher survival rate of
observed that the sprouts irradiated with 0kR 10kR group enhances the enzyme activity in
and 10kR both have the germination rate of relation to nutrient transport within the plant.
90%. But what is recorded is that only in one This is applicable to 10kR at low dosage but
day does the plants in the 0kR reached 9 not of the plants in the 30kR and 50kR group
observable germinations whereas plants in rendering 10kR to be the optimal dosage of
the 10kR group showed majority of the days gamma ray exposure.
of observation with 9 plants recorded of Table 1. Corn plant measured parameters after six weeks
germination. Although 10kR showed the
highest germination rate, it is shorter in Dosage of Radiation
Parameters
height than of the controlled group at 0kR. 0 kR 10kR 30kR 50kR
This could be a possible positive effect of
small dosage of irradiation compared to 30kR Average
Height (cm)
31.55 24.75 22.63 8.47
and 50kR which shown deteriorating
germination. Ahuja et.al (2015) explained No. of Seeds
that 9 9 5 4
that germination rate of maize decreases at Germinated
increasing irradiation dosage, theoretically.
They also supported the claim that seedling No. of plants
on last day of 8 9 3 0
length of maize genotypes were influenced observation
by gamma radiation doses inversely.
Highest
number of
plants
9 9 5 4
observed

%
90% 90% 50% 40%
Germination

% Survival 89% 100% 60% 0%

Recorded in Table 1 are the summary of the

measurements obtained over the six weeks of
Figure III. Percent survival of corn plants after six weeks of
observation observation. This serves as the data analyzed
for this chapter and basis of trend for future
It can be inferred from Figure 3 that the references.
survival rate of corn is highest when
irradiated with 10kR, and followed by non-
irradiation, and lastly by 30kR. The survival SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION
rate of the corn plants at the 50kR group is 0
as there are no observed living plant since the There are different factors that contributes to
2nd week of observation. This confers to the a mutation of an organism. In this case,
gamma rays were induced to see how this
inference of Cosma et.al (2013) and proves
certain mutation affects the average height,
that gamma radiation hinders not only the
germination rate, and survival rate of Zea
growth and germination but also the survival
mays. The doses of induced gamma were
0kR, 10kR, 30kR, and 50kR. The effects
were physically observed in a span of 6
weeks over the period of March 18 to April
26 and analyzed along with the discussion of
the possible reasons for the effects recorded.
Based on the results presented, it was
confirmed that non-irradiated seeds
expressed the highest reach of average height
among the other groups but seeds in the group
of 10kR obtained the highest germination
rate, equal to non-irradiated, and survival
rate. 30kR and 50kR only shown
deterioration on the said parameters as the
radiation increases. By these data, the
hypothesis is rejected since 10kR did not
shown significant signs of deterioration
compared to that of the other groups. In
conclusion, amma radiation however hinders
the growth, germination, and survival of
maize, is only applicable at higher doses,
specifically 30kR and above. Moreover, we
can conclude that seed irradiation of 10kR is
the optimal amount for the plant to have a
better yield. Further studies could measure
the highest possible amount of gamma
radiation where maize could exhibit its
optimal yield whereas 20kR is a questionable
level.
LITERATURE CITED
Ahuja, S., Sharma, D., Singh, B., Yadav, A.
(2015). Effects of gamma irradiation
on germination and physiological
parameters of maize (Zea mays)
genotypes. Indian Journal of
Agricultural Sciences. 85. pp.1148-
1152.
Atta, M.B., Hameed, A., Shah, T.M., Haq,
M.A., and Sayed, H. (2008). Gamma
irradiation effects on seed
germination and growth, protein
content, peroxidase and protease
activity, lipid peroxidation in desi and
kabuli chickpea. Pakistan Journal of
Botany, 40:1033-1041. pp. 1035-
1037.
Cosma, C., Cristea, V., Damian, G., Marcu,
D. (2013). Gamma radiation effects
on seed germination, growth and
pigment content, and ESR study of
induced free radicals in maize (Zea
mays). DOI 10.1007/s10867-013-
9322-z. pp. 629-631.
Espinola, S.J., Yanzon, X.D. (n.d.). Gamma
Radiation and its Effect on Corn (Zea
mays) Physiology, Morphology, and
Cytology. Bicol University, College
of Science, Department of Biology,
Legazpi City, Albay. pp. 4-6.
Forster, B.P., Nakagawa, H., Shu, Q.Y.,
(2012). Plant Mutation Breeding and
Biotechnology. Vienna, Austria:
Plant Breeding and Genetics Section.
Joint FAO/IAEA Division of Nuclear
Techniques in Food and Agriculture.
International Atomic Energy Agency.
pp. 92-93.
National Aeronautics and Space
Administration, Science Mission
Directorate. (2010). Gamma Rays.
Retrieved [May 11, 2019], from
NASA Science website:
http://science.nasa.gov/ems/12_gam
marays.
Shiel Jr, W.C. (2018). Medical Definition of
Mutation. Retrieved from
https://www.medicinenet.com/script/
main/art.asp?articlekey=4471.
APPENDIX

0kR 10kR 30kR 50kR

No. of Ave. No. of Ave. No. of Ave. No. of Ave.
Date
plants Height plants Height plants Height plants Height
measured (cm) measured (cm) measured (cm) measured (cm)
18-Mar 8 15.22 7 13.21 4 6.75 4 7.57
20-Mar 8 15.78 7 13.76 4 7.65 4 7.65
22-Mar 8 18.54 7 13.89 4 9.4 2 10.2
25-Mar 8 26.54 8 14.4 4 12.63 0 0
26-Mar 8 29.61 8 15.22 4 16.78 0 0
27-Mar 8 29.85 8 15.78 4 17.1 0 0
01-Apr 8 19.86 8 18.54 4 18.32 0 0
03-Apr 8 30.4 8 26.54 5 22.54 0 0
05-Apr 8 30.04 9 29.61 5 23.48 0 0
08-Apr 8 30.43 9 29.61 5 25.11 0 0
10-Apr 9 33.56 9 29.86 5 27.28 0 0
12-Apr 8 33.89 9 30.4 5 27.46 0 0
15-Apr 8 35.6 9 30.04 4 31.2 0 0
17-Apr 8 37.7 9 30.43 4 33.56 0 0
19-Apr 8 41.92 9 31.2 3 33.89 0 0
22-Apr 8 42.9 9 33.56 3 35.6 0 0
24-Apr 8 42.4 9 33.89 3 35.94 0 0
26-Apr 8 43.7 9 35.6 3 36.13 0 0