THE EFFECT OF GAMMA RAYS ON POLLEN VIABILITY, GERMINATION AND POLLEN TUBE LENGTH IN SAKI APPLE CULTIVAR

Abstract

In this study, the effects of different doses of gamma rays (Co60) on Saki apple (Malus domestica) pollen viability, germination and pollen tube length were investigated, in vitro. With this aim, five different ionizing radiation doses (5, 10, 20, 25 and 50 krad) were treated. While the irradiation with low gamma doses (5 and 10 krad) affected the pollen germination and pollen tube length, affirmatively; irradiation at a range of 20-50 krad doses affected the same parameters negatively. There was a highly significant inverse relationship between gamma dose and germination percentage; the LD50 was about more than 50 krad.