RADIOSENSITIVITY OF GARLIC CULTIVARS (Allium sativum L.)

Abstract

Garlic is one specie only reproduced by asexual means; its breeding progress has been slowed down as a result of a rather limited genetic variability. This variability can be increased by artificially induced mutations. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of four gamma Co⁶⁰ radiation dosis (0, 500, 750, and 1,000 rad) on plant emergence and vigor of 14 garlic cultivars, as well as
to establish the lethal medium dosis rates. The experiment was conducted at the State of Guanajuato, México, during the 1987-88 autumn-wintercycle. An split plot design replicated three times was used. Results indicated that the purple type garlics (as Hermosillo, Chileno V.O., and Nápuri) yielded higher numbers of emerged plants, and these plants had more vigour than the white types (as Blanco de Cortazar and Blanco de Durango). The 1,000 rad radiation rate caused the lowest number of emerged plants and vigor indexes. Also, the purple garlic cultivars showed variations from 0 to 49.01 in the lethal dosis rates; while the white ones showed variations from 31.08 to 99.29.