Influence of electronic irradiation on the affection of barley by root rot

Abstract

Abstract The paper displays the results of the study of the effect of pre-sowing irradiation of spring barley of the Vladimir variety with a low-energy electron beam in a wide dose range from 1 to 8 kGy and a dose rate of 500 Gy/imp on seed infestation by root rot and sowing qualities. It has been shown that the development of the disease depends on both the radiation dose and the post-radiation period (PP). The most effective was the effect of irradiation on Helminthosporium sativum (synonymous with Drechslera teres) at PP of 4 days: there was observed a reduction in the damage degree by 33–48% and the disease incidence – by 29–46% at doses of 4–8 kGy. At the PP of 7 and 11 days, the irradiation of seeds with doses of 3–5 kGy reduces the degree of damage to the seedlings by Helminthosporium sativum by 30–37% and 28–41%, respectively. With an increase in PP up to 14 days, a decrease in the damage degree of seedlings by root rot by 33% was observed only at an irradiation dose of 4 kGy, which indicates a reduction in the efficiency of irradiation with increasing PP. The prevalence of the disease decreased at PP of 4 days by 28–46% (doses of 4-8 kGy), at PP of 7 days – by 30–37% (doses of 2–6 kGy), at PP of 11 days – by 26–48% (doses 3, 4 and 7 kGy) and PP 14 days – by 33% at a dose of 4 kGy. It has been established that electron irradiation stimulates laboratory germination of seeds at PP of 7 days by 22–25% at doses of 1, 2, 4 and 5 kGy and, on the contrary, reduces it by 19–24% at PP of 4 days and doses of 3, 5 and 8 kGy. At doses higher than 4 kGy, irradiation inhibits sprout length by 12–39%, roots – by 9–15%, and also at doses of 2–8 kGy, it reduces the wet weight of seedlings by 10–50%. Thus, it was shown that pre-sowing electron irradiation of spring barley of the Vladimir variety reduces the resistance of Helminthosporium sativum and can be used to combat the pathogenic microflora of the grain.