The radio-sensitivity of gamma-irradiated passion fruit seeds and stem nodal segments

This study had the objective to investigate the effects of gamma ray radiation on survival and proliferation of shoots from stem nodal segments and on the germination seeds passion fruit (Passiflora edulis f. flavicarpa). Stem segments explants (2cm) containing one axillary bud obtained from in vitro-propagated seedlings of passion fruit were treated with γ-rays at dosages ranging from 10 to 60Gy and subsequently transferred to Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 4.0mg L^-1 BAP. Seeds of passion fruit were irradiated with gamma rays at dosages ranging from 75 to 200Gy. Germination and survival of seedlings were measured after 30 and 60 days of transfer to MS medium, respectively. After 30 days of irradiation of stem segments it was observed 50% reduction in survival of explants and the number of shoots formed in vitro at 21.31 and 12.20Gy, respectively. The LD₅₀ for seed germination is 160Gy, while for seedling survival is 125Gy.

gamma ray; tissue culture; seed germination; P. edulis f. flavicarpa