EFFECT OF GAMMA RAYS ON THE ROOTING OF GUAVA SHOOT TIPS

Abstract

In-vitro mutagenesis followed by micro propagation via axillary bud
proliferation in shoot tips of guava (Psidium guajava L.) cultivar Safeda was carried out.
Shoot tips were irradiated with 15 to 90 Gy gamma rays using 60Co cell source and
cultured on MS medium containing 3.0% sucrose, 6-benzyleamino purine (BAP), and Lglutamine. The Shoot proliferation was  bserved after 7 weeks of culturing. Best shoot proliferation was recorded on MS medium supplemented with 1.0 mg /l (BAP) and 250 mg/l L-glutamine. Rooting of the cultured shoots were observed on half strength MS medium supplemented with Indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) and Indole-3-butyric acid (IBA). Radio sensitivity was assessed by determining the percentage shoot tips survival and shoot proliferation. The LD50 (50% of the population kill does) was observed on 45 Gy. The doses above 75 Gy were found lethal to explants.