Gamma Rays Effect on Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Growth under Water Stress Condition

Abstract

This study was conducted in the demonstration farm of Agricultural Studies College, Sudan University of Science and Technology- Shambat during the winter season of 2015-2016; with the aim of studying the effect of gamma rays on wheat growth under water stress condition. Nine wheat (TriticumaestivumL.) cultivars widely grown in Sudan namely:Khaleefa,Elnileen,Tagana,Emam,Argeen, Condor,Bohain,Nabtaand Debera were exposed to three doses of gamma rays (25, 45 and 65Gy). The irrigation intervals divided to three groups: group (A) watering every 10 days, group (B) watering every 15 days and group (C) watering every 21 days. Each group replicated three times and the irradiated cultivars separated randomly in each group. Results showed significant differences among cultivars in plant high; Tagana cultivar achieved the highest value; followed by Bohain, Debaira, Condor, Argeen, Emam, Elnileen,KhaleefaNabta and respectively, No significant differences were obtained between cultivars in leaves number. The highest mean number of tillers was obtained in Tagana cultivar. The largest mean numbers of spikes were obtained in Bohain, Condor, Tagana and Argeen cultivars.The longest roots were obtained in Tagana cultivar and the shortest in Condor cultivar. Results showed high significant differences among irrigation intervals in almost all growth parameters measured,results showed the preference of watering every 10 days. There were no significant differences between gamma rays doses tested in almost all growth parameters measured, the best results for plant high and tillers number were obtained at the control treatment, there were no significant differences in leaves number, spikes number and root length between gamma rays doses. The interaction treatments results showed that 25 GY dose in interaction with watering every 10 days gave the highest values of plant high; followed by the interaction between gamma rays with watering every 15 days, the lowest values of 11 plant