Abstract
Seeds of Guar (Cyamopsi tetragonoloba L.) Taub), Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench.) and Luffa (Luffa cylindrica (L.) M. Roem.) were treated with microwave radiations (2540 MHz) for 10, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 60, 90 seconds. The germination was recorded for 7 days in vitro. We noted a reduced seeds germination after 30 to 45 second exposure, while either 60 or 90 seconds of microwave exposure of seeds inhibited their germination. Further, another batch of seeds were exposed to microwave radiations for 0, 10, 20 and 30 second and planted them in pots in greenhouse conditions. Then we assessed the effects of radiation on plant growth, photosynthetic pigments and colonization of root infecting fungi. We noticed a significant increase in shoot weights and leaf area of okra plants when seeds were exposed for 30 seconds. The chlorophyll “a” content varied in different crops upon exposure to microwave radiations. For instance, Chlorophyll “b” content was increased with time of guar and okra seed exposure, whereas luffa showed no effect on chlorophyll “b” contents upon microwave exposure. Carotenoid content remained unaffected with increasing time of seed exposure. We observed a reduce colonization % of R. solani and Fusarium species with increase in the time of seed exposure but colonization % of M. phaseolina increased with the time of exposure.
