Agrophysiological Characterization of Maize (Zea mays) Plants from EV 8728 Seeds Irradiated to Gamma Radiation
Ayolié Koutoua
Laboratory for Improving Agricultural Production, Faculty of Agroforestry, University Jean Lorougnon Guédé, BP 150 Daloa, Côte d’Ivoire.
Beugré Manéhonon Martine
Laboratory for Improving Agricultural Production, Faculty of Agroforestry, University Jean Lorougnon Guédé, BP 150 Daloa, Côte d’Ivoire.
Kanga Ahou Nadia
Laboratory for Improving Agricultural Production, Faculty of Agroforestry, University Jean Lorougnon Guédé, BP 150 Daloa, Côte d’Ivoire.
N’guessan Affoué Sylvie Rachelle
Laboratory for Improving Agricultural Production, Faculty of Agroforestry, University Jean Lorougnon Guédé, BP 150 Daloa, Côte d’Ivoire.
Kanga N’guessan Martial
Laboratory of Plant Physiology, Faculty of Biosciences, University Félix Houphouët Boigny, 22 BP 582 Abidjan 22, Côte d’Ivoire.
Kouadio Kouamé Léonard
Laboratory for Improving Agricultural Production, Faculty of Agroforestry, University Jean Lorougnon Guédé, BP 150 Daloa, Côte d’Ivoire.
Kouadio Akéssé Blaise
Laboratory for Improving Agricultural Production, Faculty of Agroforestry, University Jean Lorougnon Guédé, BP 150 Daloa, Côte d’Ivoire.
Koné Sié Kissomanbien
Laboratory for Improving Agricultural Production, Faculty of Agroforestry, University Jean Lorougnon Guédé, BP 150 Daloa, Côte d’Ivoire.
Kouadio Yatty Justin
Laboratory for Improving Agricultural Production, Faculty of Agroforestry, University Jean Lorougnon Guédé, BP 150 Daloa, Côte d’Ivoire.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Maize (Zea mays L.) is a tropical annual herbaceous plant of the Poaceae family. It is a cereal cultivated under very varied conditions ranging from tropical to temperate climates. However, the accentuated climate change causes abiotic and biotic stresses reducing the development and the production of the plants. To improve these plants, it is important to understand the mechanisms involved in these stresses. Two doses of gamma irradiation (200 and 300 grays) were applied to the seeds of a variety (EV8728) of maize grown on an experimental plot at the Jean Lorougnon Guédé University (UJLoG). Thus, the morphological, physiological and biochemical behaviors of the plants were evaluated. The results showed that gamma radiation significantly reduces morphological parameters. However, this reduction is accentuated at 300 grays. At the physiological and biochemical level, the radiation reduced the chlorophyll a, b and total (t) contents and the carotenoid content. Additionally, the contents of proline, total protein and total sugar increased with 200 grays and decreased for 300 grays. However, the phenolic compounds content increases with the irradiation dose.
Keywords: Maize, irradiation, gamma radiation