Chickpea response to low doses of gamma radiation

The effect of low doses (0, 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 Gy) of gamma rays from radioactive cobalt on chickpea plant growth, protein content of leaves and grains harvested from irradiated seeds grown in pots indicated that 20 Gy enhanced plant growth by 146.35% compared to plants grown from non irradiated seeds. Root nodules number was also 260.80% higher under 20 Gy level of irradiation compared to plants developed from non irradiated seeds. The 20 Gy dose also improved nodule weight by 300%, protein content of the leaves and grains by 189.81 and 93.16%, respectively.