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Effect of Ionizing Radiation on the Growth and Germination of Corn (Zea mays L.)1

Lance Marion R. Dela Cruz

A-7L

May 23, 2016

A scientific paper submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements in Genetics

laboratory under Prof. Jae Joseph Russell B. Rodriguez, 2nd sem., 2015-2016

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ABSTRACT

The effect of ionizing radiation on the growth of Zea may L. was observed by
exposing corn seeds to 10kRad, 30kRad, and 50kRad gamma radiation. 10 each of the 10,
30, and 50-kRad-irradiated corn seeds were planted and grown with 10 untreated seeds
(control) on the same plot for 5 weeks. Results showed that the growth in height (in cm)
and germination rates of the control was inversely related to the irradiation doses. Corn
seeds exposed to 0, 10, 30, and 50 k-Rad of gamma radiation showed 100%, 90%, 90%,
and 50% germination rates, and 100%, 90%, 50%, and 0% survival rates on plants of
mean lengths of 56.025 cm, 47.35 cm, 22.5 cm, and 0 cm, respectively. Thus, mutation
by increasing the radiation strength treated to the corn decreases the corns growth and
percent germination.

INTRODUCTION

Mutations bring heritable change in the genetic material of an organism which can be a
foundation for evolutionary change and/or a cause of many diseases (Brooker, 1999). Effects of mutations
are observed after addition, deletion, or even substitution of the base pairs. Mutations can either be
spontaneous, or induced by chemical or physical agents (Diaz, et al., 2013). Examples of chemical agents
are chloral hydrate, acenaphthene, nitrous acid, acridine dyes, colchicine, base analogues, and alkylating
agents while some physical agents of mutation are ionizing radiation, such as x-rays, protons, neutrons,
and alpha, beta, and gamma rays from radioactive sources like radium and cobalt-90.

Ionizing radiation consists of X-rays and gamma rays which produce ions which are
reactive to biological molecules (Al-Salhi, et al., 2005). Exposure to ionizing radiation involves physical
and chemical changes that are observed on biological injuries. The water molecule which is present in all
organisms, when ionized, produces H and OH radicals which damage or modify important parts of cells
and affect certain physiological and biochemical steps that might be important for an organisms survival
(Cosma, Cristea, Damian & Marcu, 2009).

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The impact of the effect of exposure to ionizing radiation is best seen on people who
were affected by nuclear accidents like what had happened in Chernobyl and Fukushima power plants in
Russia and Japan, respectively, and atomic bombings in Japan during the World War II. However,
according to studies, it is difficult to collect and analyze data from these incidents because of lack of
national funding and interest (Peplow, 2011). Studies like these will be beneficial for all since people are
exposed to different kinds of radiations every day, especially to those who are radiation technologists in
hospitals and in nuclear power plants.

To have a glimpse on the effect of ionizing radiation on organisms, this study which
focuses on the effect of gamma radiation on corn (Zea mays L.) was conducted. Corn was used as the
model organism because of its abundance, and ease of use.

This study had been conducted at the Institute of Biological Sciences, UPLB from April
11 May 16, 2016. The objectives of the experiment are to:
1. observe the effects of different strengths of radiation on plant growth in terms of height (cm)
and %germination; and
2. explain the possible mechanisms behind the observed effects of radiation on plant growth.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

To evaluate the effect increasing the strength of radiation in plant growth, corn was used
as the model organism. Seeds of Zea mays L. were exposed to different strengths of gamma radiation: 10
kRad, 30 kRad, and 50 kRad. 10 seeds of each radiation treatment were planted on the soil with equal
spatial distribution. 10 corn seeds which were not exposed to any strength of gamma radiation were also
planted as the control setup. These seeds were planted on one soil plot to ensure that same environmental

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conditions such as amount of sunlight, pH of the soil, etc. (except radiation strengths) were applied to the
corn seeds.

The growth of the plants was observed by measuring the height of the plants during
Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays for 5 weeks (April 11 May 13). The germination rates of the
irradiated plants were computed by dividing the number of the earliest grown plants to the total number of
seeds planted (10). The survival rates of the irradiated were also computed by dividing the number of
observed plants per variety on the last observation date to the number of seeds planted (10). A graph
comparing the average height in centimeters of irradiated corn seeds with those of the controls was then
plotted and analyzed.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

The effect of varying strengths of gamma radiation on corn growth was observed. As
seen in Table 1, results showed that the control setup (0 kRad) produced corn plants with the highest final
average height (56.025 cm). 10 kRad-treated corn plants have an average final height of 47.35 cm. 30
kRad-treated corn plants have an average final height of 22.5cm. The 50 kRad-treated corn plants did not
survive on the final observation, giving an average final height of 0 cm. The difference between the two
set-ups is clearly represented in the graph (Figure 1).Thus, increasing the strength of the gamma radiation
decreases the height of corn plants.

Table 1. Summary of the growth of irradiated corn seeds.

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0 kRad

April 27

10

25.76

22.7

30 kRad
no. of
ave.
plants
height
observed
(cm)
0
0
5
8.1
9
8.24
7
8.45
7
9.75
7
10.86
11.06
7

May 4
May 9

10
10

39.5
47.92

9
9

31.81
39

6
6

May 11

10

54.1

45.55

May 13
Median
Mode

10

56.025

47.35

Observation
Date
April 11
April 15
April 18
April 20
April 22
April 25

ave.
no. of plants
height
observed
(cm)
0
0
4
12
10
13.7
10
17.13
10
21.7
10
25.1

25.1
-

10 kRad
no. of
ave.
plants
height
observed
(cm)
0
0
7
5.6
9
8.23
9
14.53
9
17.5
9
21. 44

21.4
-

50 kRad
no. of
ave.
plants
height
observed
(cm)
0
0
0
0
5
0.45
1
0.75
2
0. 84
2
1.1
1.18
2

16.21
18.36
21.45

0
0

0.00
0

0.00

22.5

10.86
-

0.00
0.225
0

60
50
40
30
20

0 krad
10 krad
30 krad
50 krad

10
0

Figure 1. A line graph showing the average height (in cm) of Zea mays irradiated and not irradiated with
gamma rays.

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The irradiated seeds also showed difference in the number of germinated seeds. As seen
in Table 2, out of the 0, 10, 30, and 50-kRad-treated seeds, 10, 9, 9, and 5 germinated, respectively. The
difference between the two set-ups is clearly represented in graphs (Figures 2 and 3).At the end of the
experiment, only 10, 9, 5, and 0 out of 10 survived on the control, 10 kRad, 30 kRad, and 50 kRad setup,
respectively. It can be inferred here that increasing the strength of the gamma radiation decreases the
ability of the plant to germinate and survive.

Table 2. Percent germination and growth of corn exposed to gamma radiation.

Radiation strength
0 kRad
10 kRad
30 kRad
50 kRad

No. of germinated
seeds
10
9
9
5

% germination
100%
90%
90%
50%

Final number of
corn
10
9
5
0

% survival
100%
90%
50%
0%

% germination
0 kRad
15%

10 kRad
30%

30 kRad
50 kRad

27%
27%

Figure 2. A pie graph showing the difference in germination rates of Zea mays L. irradiated and not
irradiated with gamma rays.

% survival
0 kRad
10 kRad

21%
42%

30 kRad
50 kRad

38%

Figure 3. A pie graph showing the difference in survival rates of Zea mays L. irradiated and not irradiated
with gamma rays.

Decrease in the growth, percent germination, and percent survival is caused by the
increasing strength of ionizing radiation. Gamma radiation penetrates the cells of an organism and
therefore alters what is found inside the cell (Moussa, 2006). Increase in strength of gamma radiation
means increase in energy and ability to change base sequences of organisms, and increase in the number
of changed base sequences means greater change on the phenotype of the organisms. As seen from the
data of Table 1, increase in strength of the gamma radiation means decrease in the final average height of
the plant. Also, since greater number of genes is affected, genes for survival and germination will be
much more affected by increasing strength of gamma radiation. As seen from the data of Table 2, increase
in strength of the gamma radiation results to decrease or total loss of survival and germination rates.

The mechanism behind this is that the ionizing radiation breaks single or double stranded
DNA by the presence of free radicals. Mutations occur if the repair mechanisms re-attach the wrong piece
of DNA back together. This is the cause of the deletion of some genes which are responsible for the
germination, growth and survival of the plants (De-Vita, et.al., 1993).

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SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION
The effect of ionizing radiation, specifically gamma radiation, on the germination,
growth, and survival of Zea mays was studied by observing the change in the number and height of 10
corn plants irradiated to 0 kRad, 10 kRad, 30 kRad, and 50 kRad.

Over-all results showed that the control setup had the highest value for percent
germination, growth, and percent survival (100%, 56.025cm, and 100%, respectively). It was followed by
the 10 kRad-treated corn (90%, 47.35cm, and 90%), 30 kRad-treated corn (90%, 22.5cm, and 50%), and
lastly, 50 kRad-treated corn (50%, 0 cm, and 0%).

Hence, increase in the strength of gamma radiation leads to increase in negative changes
in the genes which include gene for germination, growth, and survival. Decrease in the values of these
characteristics may lead to diseases, system malfunctions, and/or worse, death.

LITERATURE CITED

Al-Salhi, M., M.M. Ghannam, M.S., Al-Ayed, S.U., El-Kameesy, S., Roshdy. 2004. Effect of gammairradiation on the biophysical and morphological properties of
corn.,Nahrung. 48:95-98
Brooker, R.J. (1999). Gentics: Analysis and principles. Addison-Wesley.
Cosma, C., Cristea, V., Damian, G., and Marcu, D. (2013). Gamma radiation effects on seed
germination, growth and pigment content, and ESR study of induced free radicals in
maize (Zea mays). Journal of Biological Physics, 39(4), 625-634.
Diaz, M., Laude, R.P.,Mendoza, J.C., Mendioro,M.S., and Ramirez, D.A. 2013. Genetics: A Laboratory
Manual. 13th ed. San Pablo City, Laguna. 7 Lakes Printing Press. p. 97
Moussa, J.P.: Role of gamma irradiation in regulation of NO 3 level in rocket (Eruca vescaria subsp.
sativa) plants. Russ. J. Plant Physiol. 53, pp. 193197 (2006)
Peplow, M. (2011). Chernobyls legacy. Nature 471, 562-565; doi:0.1038/471562a