RESEARCH ARTICLE

Journal of Oil Palm Research Vol. 31 (2) June 2019, p. 212-219

MUTAGENIC EFFECTS OF GAMMA IRRADIATION ON OIL PALM (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) SEEDLING GERMINATION AND GROWTH

DICKSON OSEI DARKWAH*; ESSIE T BLAY**; HARRY M AMOATEY‡; DANIEL AGYEI-DWARKO*; ENOCH SAPEY* and MEILINA ONG-ABDULLAH‡‡

DOI: https://doi.org/10.21894/jopr.2019.0020
Published Online: 21-May-19
ABSTRACT

Mutation induction has been used to generate genetic variability in most crop plants. This research was conducted to assess genetic variation induced by gamma radiation on the various treatment designated as M1, M2, M2M1 at 10 Gy. A randomised complete block design with four replicates was used for the experiment. Parameters such as percentage germination, root length, leaf area, plant height and stem/trunk circumference were taken from 4- to 12-month seedlings after planting. Data was analysed using GenStat (12th edition), which revealed significant differences in germination and growth of these oil palm seedlings. The study shows that percentage germination as well as growth parameters were stimulated in the M1 seedlings but inhibited in the M2 and M2M1 populations.

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* CSIR-Oil Palm Research Institute, P. O. Box 74, Kade, Ghana.

** Crop Science Department, University of Ghana,
P. O. Box LG 25, Legon, Accra, Ghana.

‡ Ghana Atomic Energy Commission, P. O. Box LG 80,
Legon, Accra, Ghana.

‡‡ Malaysian Palm Oil Board, 6 Persiaran Institusi,
Bandar Baru Bangi, 43000 Kajang, Selangor, Malaysia.
E-mail:meilina@mpob.gov.my