Effect of Gamma Irradiation on Enhancement of Some Economic Traits and Molecular Changes in Hibiscus Sabdariffa L.

Abstract

Seeds of Hibiscus sabdariffa were irradiated with gamma rays (100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700 and 800 Gy) for determining the effectiveness of different doses of irradiation on growth behaviour, yield and evaluate of roselle calyx extract and quality. Gamma irradiation at 600 Gy was superior in growth criteria enhancement. Maximum mean values for fresh and dry weight of leaves, stems and roots/plant were recorded at 600 Gy in the first season and 500 or 600 in the second one. The application of 600 Gy gave the highest effect on increasing number of fruit per plant and the most significantly effective treatment for increasing anthocyanin. The significantly higher calyx yield per plant recorded by the application of 700 Gy. The variation in DNA of the irradiated seeds in comparison to the control were successfully assessed using random amplified polymorphic DNA-polymerase chain reaction (RAPD-PCR). (Fadia El Sherif, Salah Khattab, Ezzat Goniam, Nashwa Salem and Khaled Radwan. The Effect of Gamma Irradiation on Enhancement of Some Economic Traits and Molecular Changes in Hibiscus Sabdariffa L. Life Science Journal. 2011;8(3):220-229) (ISSN: 1097-8135). http://www.lifesciencesite.com.