Gamma Rays Radiation on Germination and Growth of Sandoricum koetjape Seedlings

¹ Agrotechnology, Faculty of Biology and Agriculture, Universitas Nasional, Jakarta, Indonesia
² National Research and Innovation Agency, Bogor, Indonesia

^* Corresponding author: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Abstract

Kecapi or santol fruit (Sandoricum koetjape) is currently very rare. Many factors are suspected of causing this crop scarcity, i.e, low economic value, less attractive because it quickly turns brown and land conversion. Kecapi contains antioxidants, beta carotene, polyphenols, sentulic acids and high pectin. This study aims to determine the effects of gamma radiation on the germination and growth of two kecapi seedling accessions. The experiment was conducted using a Split-plot Randomized Block Design with three replications. The treatments consisted of two kecapi accessions (Yellow and Green) and seven doses of gamma ray irradiation (0, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, and 60 Gy). The results showed that the interaction between kecapi accession and radiation dose significantly affected the percentage of viability and seedling height in the nursery. Kecapi accession did not significantly affect viability or growth rate. However, the radiation dose significantly affected the percentage of viability, and the dose of 60 Gy produced the highest percentage. Radiation significantly suppressed seedling growth; higher radiation doses resulted in shorter seedling growth. The leaf colour was generally categorised as scale 5G (green-yellow) based on the colour chart observation. The radiation resulted in shorter stomata than the control. The stomata density was 476.4 to 985.8 stomata mm^-2.