Effect of gibberellic acid on the radiation-stunted seedlings of maize

Abstract

Maize seeds of the single cross WF 9×38-11 were irradiated with pile neutrons with doses ranging from 1×10¹² Np to 5×10¹⁴ Np and then treated with gibberellic acid (GA). In one set of experiments the seeds were soaked in GA for 24 hours and raised in sand. In another set they were sprouted in water, and seedlings with a 2-3 cm root-length were from then grown on in GA solution. It was evident from both these experiments that GA can reverse the stunting of seedlings caused by radiation.