Applied Sciences Session:

Title:            Effect of Y- Rays on Protein Content in Glycine max (L.)Merrill., Family- Fabaceae
Authors:       Rajesh Kumar Karn, Chander Prabha, Abha Singh
Abstract:      The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of gamma irradiation at doses of 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 kR on protein content in the unique, economically triple beneficial legume crop-soybean (Glycine max). It has emerged as a major oil seed crop next to ground nut and mustard in India and Nepal, where it is successfully grown for its various uses. Owing to its nutritional and commercial characteristics, it is getting explored by various techniques for its popular industrial products, like milk, paneer, nutrinuggets, etc. The mature seeds were collected from natural population of Sundarpur, Morang, Nepal, dried and irradiated with  -rays. 50 seeds from each treatment dose along with control were grown in the Research garden, Department of Botany, P. U., Patna (Bihar). Protein was estimated in the seeds of 1 st mutant generation. Linear correlation between protein content and treatment doses (upto 20 kR) was observed which declined at 25 kR. Minimum (39.17%) protein was estimated in the non irradiated (control) seeds and maximum (43.16%) at 20kR. At 25 kR, (0.90%) decline in protein content was recorded as compared to 20 kR but it was still (3.09%) higher than the control. The results indicate positive effect of y -rays on the seed protein in soybean. The present finding may prove to be useful to alleviate protein malnutrition in this sub-continent. It was concluded that y - irradiation upto 20 kR could be used to enhance protein in soybean.

Keywords:   Glycine max, legume crops, protein, Nepal, mutation breeding, y -irradiation, protein malnutrition.
Pages:         632-634

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