The effect of gamma ray iradiation on the growth, production and quality of Indigofera zollingeriana to support the development of forage crops

Abstract

Indigofera zollingeriana plant has high production and quality as ruminant feed. Its development is constrained by the availability of land. The alternative is to expand the agricultural area towards marginal lands. This study aims to evaluate the genetic diversity of Indigofera plants through gamma ray irradiation. Indigofera seeds were irradiated at doses: 0, 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, and 1000 grays. Based on the LD50 test, plants with radiation doses of 0 Gy, 100 Gy, 200 Gy, and 300 Gy are the best. The study was continued with a field growth test, in a randomized block design, four radiation dose treatments with 20 replications (plants). The parameters observed were plant growth characteristics, dry matter production and chemical composition. The results showed that the 300 Gy dose was higher and significantly different from other treatments in the parameters of plant height (268 cm), canopy width (195.5 cm) and fiber content (14.81%). The 0 Gy treatment was superior on the number of leaves (2,972), number of flowers 311, and calcium content of 1.76%. It was concluded that the dose of 0 and 300 Gy had advantages on the growth and production of Indigofera plants.