The role of gamma radiation on the productivity of sesame plants and potassium efficiency under different rates of potassium fertilization

Hekal, Mohamed Ashraf; Moussa, Mohamed Gomaa

doi:10.21608/ejss.2023.212110.1595

The role of gamma radiation on the productivity of sesame plants and potassium efficiency under different rates of potassium fertilization

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Soil and water research department, nuclear research centre, Egyptian atomic energy authority

² Soil and Water Research Department, Nuclear Research Center, Egyptian Atomic Energy Authority, Egypt

10.21608/ejss.2023.212110.1595

Abstract

EFFECTS of seed irradiation with gamma rays on enhancing potassium (K) uptake by sesame plants and improving K use efficiency (KUE) by the grown plants are not well documented. Thus, the present study aims at investigating combined effect using different irradiation doses (0, 50, 100, and 200 Gy) of gamma rays and K fertilization levels (0, 57, 76 and 95 kg K ha-1) on the yield, K recovery (KR), and KUE of the sesame plant. A field experiment was conducted in a sandy soil during the summer season of 2021 under a drip irrigation. The experimental design was randomized complete block design. At the abovementioned four rates using gamma irradiation (60Co). The main effect of each of the K fertilization and gamma radiation revealed a positive effect at the high rate of K fertilization and the dose of 100 Gy. Our results indicated that high rate of K fertilization (95 kg ha-1) interacted with 100 Gy significantly increased dry yield and K uptake by sesame parts. Furthermore, Under 50 Gy and 100 Gy of gamma irradiation, KR of seed yield increased, although KUE significantly increased under 50 Gy of gamma irradiation with a high K rate. However, a high gamma dose had a detrimental impact on the productivity, K uptake, KR, and KUE of sesame plant parts with K fertilization. These findings suggested that the gamma radiation may boost K uptake and efficiency and hence increase the yield.

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