Effects of gamma radiation on fungi infected rice (in vitro)

Abstract

Purpose: This work focuses on the effect of gamma radiation on seed born fungi (in vitro) on Oryza sativa (Swarna, Initial Evaluation Trial-5656).

Materials and methods: The responses of fungi to gamma radiation (0–4.2 kGy; 0.12 kGy/h) were studied in individual cultures of major seed-borne fungi including Alternaria alternata, Aspergillus flavus, Trichoderma viride and Curvularia geniculata.

Results: The inactivation of individual fungal-viability was noted between 1.0–2.0 kGy for A. alternata and A. flavus and 0.5–1.0 kGy for T. viride and C. geniculata. Complete inhibition was observed at <2.5 kGy. Formations of multiple germ tubes were noted in A. alternata and A. flavus at 2 kGy and 2.5 kGy, respectively. A. flavus required a higher dose to reduce viability to 10% (D₁₀) value in comparison to other selected fungi.

Conclusions: Different fungi exhibited different radiosensitivity. The dose range of 2–2.5 kGy was effective in killing all selected fungi. The fungi showing a higher D₁₀ value exhibited multiple germ tubes.

Keywords::

• γ-ray
• fungi
• morphology

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank the Chemical Science Division of the Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics, Kolkata, India, for providing the use of ⁶⁰Co gamma irradiation chamber. The authors are also thankful to the Department of Environmental Science, University of Kalyani, WB, India, and UGC DAE CSR, Calcutta Center, for providing some infrastructure facilities to carry out the experiments. The authors are also grateful to Dr Thomas R. Kulp (USGS, USA) for providing valuable suggestions and editing the manuscript.

Declaration of interest The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.