Effect of Gamma-irradiation on Growth, RNA, Protein, and Nitrogen Contents of Bean Callus Cultures

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Abstract
Callus-tissue cultures of Phaseolus vulgaris L. were subjected to various doses of 60Co gamma-irradiation, and its effect on growth, total RNA, soluble protein, and nitrogen contents has been studied. The growth of the tissue cultures was stimulated by low levels of radiation (0.5 krad). However, from 1 to 10 krad, there was a gradual and linear decrease in growth. The cells exhibited a wide variety of shapes and sizes, mitotic inhibition, degeneration of cytoplasm, browning of the cell wall, and reduced plating efficiency. At 20–30 krad growth was drastically reduced, followed by severe killing of the cells and cessation of growth at 40 krad. With increase in dosimetry, RNA, and soluble protein continued to decrease. At lower doses (0.5 and 1 krad) there was no significant difference in total nitrogen of the control and irradiated cultures, however, from 2 krad upwards there was a gradual increase in total nitrogen in terms of μg/mg dry weight of the irradiated callus. The results demonstrate that there is a direct correlation between growth, RNA and protein levels. Gamma-irradiation in general caused inhibition of tissue culture growth along with failure of RNA, and subsequently of protein synthesis.

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