Physiological and genetical study for the effect of gamma irradiation on Moringa olefiera Lam.

SEEDS of Moringa oleifera plant were exposed to different gamma irradiation doses; 0, 20, 40 and 60Gy. Effects of gamma irradiation on a number of vegetative, physiological and molecular characters were studied. The vegetative characters were studied for two seasons, the highest values for the studied characters were often observed at the dose of 40Gy (8 characters) then at the dose of 60Gy (4 characters). The physiological characters studied were total phenolic compounds contents, amino acid contents and antioxidant enzymes activity. Total phenols contents showed a significant increase in all used doses compared with the control. Amino acids content was affected widely by gamma doses, especially with 20 and 40Gy.The effect of gamma irradiation on the activity of five antioxidant enzymes (catalase, polyphenol oxidase, peroxidase, superoxide dismutase and phenylalanine ammonia lyase) was studied. Isozymes electrophoresis was carried out for two isozymes (peroxidase and polyphenol oxidase). New bands were detected which can be used as markers for gamma irradiation.