The Effect of Gamma Irradiation on the

Growth of Corn (Zea mays)1

Bernice Serquina
Sec. A-11L

May 23, 2016

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

laboratory under Prof. Anna Mariel U. Toledo, 2nd sem., 2015-2016

ABSTRACT
The effect of irradiation by gamma rays on the growth of
corn was investigated. Ten seeds of corn per treatment of 0 krad
(control), 10 krad, 30 krad, and 50 krad of gamma rays were done
for 34 days. The corn treated with 30 krad had average height of
63.8 cm, while the corn treated with 50 krad had no surviving corn
at the end of 34 days. Thus, the effect of irradiation by gamma rays
on corn is dependent on its dosage. A certain dosage, such as 10
krad increases corn growth while excessive dosages cause damage.

INTRODUCTION

All cellular organisms have DNA, in viruses either DNA or RNA, which is composed of
nucleic acids. Changes that affect these nucleic acids is generally known as mutation. It is
changes in the genetic sequences. It may only have an effect on the affected individual, but it
may also be heritable, meaning it can be passed on to the next generation. Mutation, as well as its
interaction with the environment is a cause for diversity among organisms (Loewe, 2008).
Although mutation is commonly associated with negative connotations, its occurrence
can actually be advantageous or it can also have no effect. Mutations cause variations that may or
may not lead to the development of advantageous traits in an organism that can lead to better
survival (Genetic Science Learning Center, 2014).
There are many types of mutations and they are caused by numerous factors. It can be
caused by the environment, exposure to chemicals, errors that occur during replication, as well as
merely spontaneous mutation (Clancy, 2008).
Mutations caused by the environment may come from exposure to radiation. In ionizing
radiation such as exposure to gamma rays, double-stranded breaks in DNA are induced and can
cause mutation if perfect repair is not done (Clancy, 2008).
[Type here]

Corn or maize, is one of the most important crops in the Philippines, with many Filipinos
depending on it for livelihood as well as a source of substitute to rice in many rural areas
(Diangkinay et al., 2004).
This study aimed to determine the effect of gamma rays on the growth of corn. The
specific objectives were
1. To describe the effect of treatment of different dosages of gamma radiation on the
height, germination, and survival of corn; and
2. To explain the possible consequences of exposure of corn to gamma radiation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Mutation was induced by irradiation. Corn seeds were irradiated at varying doses of 0,
10, 30 and 50 kilorad. Ten seeds per treatment were used. A small plot was utilized, where four
hills were made in each plot where the seeds were planted. The seeds were planted 5 cm apart
from on a hill, with each hill representing a specific treatment. The hills were labelled with the
respective doses of irradiation the plants plotted there received. The seed germination was
observed and recorded in a table. The plants were observed for three months. Morphological
changes of the vegetative parts were also observed and recorded.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

[Type here]

The average height of the plants with their respective treatments were obtained and
recorded in Table 7.1.
Table 7.1. Average height (in cm) and number of plants observed of corn in treatments of gamma
rays in doses of 0, 10, 30, and 50 krad in 34 days.

Date

0 krad
No. of
ave.
Plants
ht
Observ
(cm)
ed

13-Apr16
15-Apr16
18-Apr16
20-Apr16
22-Apr16
25-Apr16
27-Apr16
29-Apr16
2-May16
4-May16
6-May16
9-May16
11May-16
13May-16
16May-16

[Type here]

10 krad
No. of
ave.
Plants
ht
Observ
(cm)
ed

30 krad
No. of
ave.
Plants
ht
Observ
(cm)
ed

50 krad
No. of
ave.
Plants
ht
Observ
(cm)
ed

0 -

0 -

0 -

0 -

5 1.50

7 1.80

6 1.50

0 -

9 9.40

10 10.80

8 6.40

2 1.70

9 14.30

10 15.50

7 10.10

0 -

9 18.20

10 20.90

7 12.90

1 3.50

9 23.60

10 24.70

7 16.30

2 5.20

9 25.30

10 27.10

6 18.90

2 6.30

9 25.50

9 27.90

6 19.60

2 6.80

9 29.90

10 36.30

6 24.90

0 -

9 41.70

9 57.80

5 39.60

0 -

9 45.00

9 63.80

5 44.60

0 -

As seen in the table above, the height of the plants were not measured in a span of 8 days,
from May 4, 2016 to May 11, 2016, hence there is no data in that span of time.
Referring to Table 7.1., out of the four treatments, the corn treated with 30 krad of
gamma rays had the most number of seeds that germinated, having 10 out of 10 seeds that
germinated, thus having a % germination of 100%. The corn treated with 0 krad had only 9 out
of 10 seeds that germinated, hence having % germination of 90%.As for the corn treated with 50
krad, they had the least number of seeds that germinated, having only 2 out of 10 seeds that
germinated, thus having a % germination of only 20%. As for seed survival, the corn treated with
0 krad and the corn treated with 30 krad had both 9 out of 10 plants that survived in the 34-day
observation period, hence both having the highest % survival of 90%. The corn treated with 50
krad had 0 % survival, hence having the lowest % survival. As for average height, the treatment
of 10 krad had the largest value of average height of 63.80 cm, while the treatment of 50 krad
had no surviving plants and only reached up to 6.80 cm average height, thus considered to have
the lowest value of average height. The corn treated with 0 krad had 45 cm average height, thus
the increase in average height of the corn treated with 10 krad can be considered to be favorable.
From the given results, it can be inferred that the treatment of 30 krad of gamma rays
causes an amount of mutation that is mostly has no effect or is only slightly favorable towards
the germination and survival of corn. The treatment of 10 krad of gamma rays causes an amount
of mutation that is mostly favorable to the growth in height of corn. The treatment of 50 krad of
gamma rays causes an amount of mutation that is largely harmful towards the germination and
survival of corn.

[Type here]

Figure 7. 1. A line graph comparing the average height (in cm) of corn
given with respective treatments of gamma rays with doses of 0, 10, 30
and 50 krad in 34 days.

[Type here]

70
60
50
40

Average Height (cm) 30

20
10
0

9 12 14 16 20 22 25 27 29 32 34

Days
Average Height 0 krad

Average Height 10 krad

Average Height 30 krad

Average Height 50 krad

Referring to Figure 7.1., it can be seen that the corn treated with 10 krad of gamma rays
has the fastest growth rate in terms of average height in centimeters, while the corn treated with
50 krad of gamma rays had the slowest growth rate, eventually terminating in 16 days. From the
given data, it can be inferred that the treatment of 10 krad of gamma rays causes the mutation
that is the most favorable towards the growth in height of corn, as it has faster growth rate than
the corn treated with 0 krad. As for the treatment of 50 krad of gamma rays, it causes mutation
that is harmful towards the growth in height of corn, having the slowest growth rate.
While the treatment of different doses of gamma rays largely affect the growth of corn in
the experiment, environmental factors, such as amount of sunlight and water received, must also
be considered to have an effect in the growth of the corn. However, due to the presence of a
control group, which is the corn treated with 0 krad of gamma rays, the effect of these
environmental factors can be considered to be negligible.
According to Kereszetes and Kovacs (2002), gamma rays produce free radicals which
interact with the atoms or molecules of plant cells, which can potentially cause damage. Gamma
[Type here]

rays can have effects such as increase the rate of softening of fruits, weakening the middle
lamella in cell wall, and influence the development of plastid and their functions. Gamma rays
are also able to penetrate into the cells.
Inducing mutation by use of radiation, such as treatment by gamma rays can cause point
mutations, which is changes in a single nucleotide or deletions, which is the loss of a
chromosomal segment (McClean, 1999).
Mutations does not necessarily cause damage. As seen in the experiment, irradiation via
gamma rays using a dosage of 10 krad, generally had a beneficial effect on the corn growth,
having increased shoot length. However, in large doses, such as the 50 krad treatment used in the
experiment, gamma rays cause detrimental effects on corn. This is further supported in a study
by Cosma, et al. (2013), where corn seed germination, growth and pigment content were
investigated upon the application of gamma radiation, it was observed that increasing the
irradiation dose decreases germination potential as well as root and shoot lengths.
Also in another study by Emrani et al. (2013), where the effects of gamma irradiation on
two corn cultivars was investigated, it was seen that a dosage of 400 aand 600 cGy greatly
increased root and shoot length, while a dosage of 800 cGy caused significant reduction.
Thus, in specific dosages, such as 10 krad as done in the experiment, mutation by gamma
irradiation can be beneficial to corn growth, while in extreme dosages such as 50 krad, it can
cause damage and even death to the plant.

SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION

[Type here]

The effect of gamma irradiation to induce mutation on the growth of corn (Z. mays) was
determined. Treatments of 0 krad, 10 krad, 30 krad, and 50 krad of gamma rays were done to
corn, with ten corn seeds per treatment. The corn seeds were then grown in small plot for 34 days
with constant measurement and recording of height.
Results showed that the corn treated with 10 krad of gamma radiation had significant
increase in height than the control, while the corn treated with 50 krad of gamma radiation had
significant reduction of height and had 0 % percent survival.
Therefore, the effect of gamma radiation on the growth of corn is dependent on its
dosage. At a certain dosage, such as 10 krad, it increases corn growth. In extreme dosages, such
as 50 krad, gamma radiation causes termination of corn growth. However, these results can be
further validated by the conducting of more experiments. Also, it is recommended that corn
growth be recorded in closer day intervals, as well as have more replicates in order to ensure
accuracy.

LITERATURE CITED

Clancy, S. 2008. Genetic mutation. Nature Education 1(1):187

Cosma, C., Cristea, V., Damian, G., 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), 625634.

Diangkinay, E. I., Gerpacio, R. V., J. D. Labios, and R. V. Labios. 2004. Maize in the Philippines:
Production Systems, Constraints, and Research Priorities. Mexico, D.F.: CIMMYT.
[Type here]

10

Emrani, A., Razavi, A., and Rahimi, M. F. 2013. Assessment of Gamma Ray Irradiation Effects
on Germination and some Morphological Characters in Two Corn Cultivars. International
Journal of Agriculture and Crop Sciences Journal. Vol. 5 (11), 1235-1244

Genetic Science Learning Center.2014. What Is Mutation?.

Learn.Genetics.http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/variation/mutation/ Accessed May
22, 2016

Kereszetes, A. and Kovacs, E. 2002. Effect of Gamma and UV-B/C Radiation on Plant Cells.
Micron. 33(2): 199-210

Loewe, L. 2008. Genetic mutation. Nature Education 1(1):113

McClean, P. 1999. Spontaneous and Induced Mutations.

https://www.ndsu.edu/pubweb/~mcclean/plsc431/mutation/mutation3.htm. Accessed May
22, 2016.

[Type here]