Germination of cactus (Opuntia ficus-indica) seeds irradiated with various doses of radiations mutagenic treatment

• Published in: Acta horticulturae no. 1067; pp. 75 - 78
• Main Authors: Boujghagh, M, Bouharroud, R, Mouhib, M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: International Society for Horticultural Science 01.01.2015
• Subjects: cacti and succulents; correlation; gamma radiation; genetic variation; germination; greenhouses; mutagenicity; mutation; Opuntia ficus-indica; peat; regression analysis; seeds; sowing; Morocco
• ISSN: 0567-7572
• DOI: 10.17660/ActaHortic.2015.1067.9

The quick tool to create a genetic variability of cactus is to provoke mutations using radiations. But the question of radiations doses remains unanswered. Cactus seeds from two origins; Aït Baamrane (South of Morocco) and Skhour Rhamna (Region of Marrakech) have been exposed to increasing doses of gamma rays. Four lots of 30 g of seeds were irradiated separately by one of the following doses of radiation; 50 Grays (T50), 100 Grays (T100), 150 Grays (T150) and 200 Grays (T200). The control seeds were untreated (To). All seeds were sown under a greenhouse in plastic plates of 77 holes filled with peat. The germinated seeds were counted every 2 weeks during 4 months before sowing. The cumulative rate of germination (CRG) was very high in the control compared to irradiated seeds and showed 97 and 98% for seeds collected from Skhour Rhamna and Aït Baamrane, respectively. However, this CRG was negatively correlated to increased radiation doses. The dose of 200 Grays caused 37 and 42% of CRG and 49 and 52% at 100 Grays for the seeds originated from Skhour and Aït Baamrane, respectively. The regression analysis of the results obtained showed that the optimal radiation doses for cactus seeds should range between 50 and 125 Grays which allowed obtaining 70 and 50% of germination.