EFFECT OF GAMMA RAYS ON THE GERMINATION OF WHEAT SEEDS AND THE MORPHOPHYSIOLOGICAL PROPERTIES OF SEEDLINGS UNDER CONDITIONS OF SALT STRESS

The influence of low-dose gamma rays (80 Gy) on the morphometric properties of bread wheat at the stage of seed germination under salt stress was studied and the changes in the water regime, the amounts of photosynthetic pigments and the activity of PSII 14- and 21-day leaves were determined. Seeds of the bread wheat varieties Mirbashir-1 and Sheki-1 were used as the objects of the study. Seeds were exposed to gamma rays (80 Gy) emitted by Co60 isotope. The seeds exposed to gamma rays were germinated using the roll method for studying the effect of salt on morphophysiological indices of wheat seedlings. For this purpose seeds of each sample were maintained on wet filter paper at 20-22°C constant temperature, in darkness for 3 days and then moved to a photoperiod of 12 hours dark/12 hours light and germinated for 11 days. Different concentrations of NaCl (0, 150, 200 mmol.L-1) were used in the experiments. The research revealed that gamma rays with a dose of 80 Gy partly eliminate the negative effect of salt stress on germination capacity, growth of shoots and roots, RWC of leaves, amounts of photosynthetic pigments and the activity of PS II.