Studies on the Effect of Gamma, Laser Irradiation and Progesterone Treatments on Gerbera Leaves

Abstract

The present study, we aimed to evaluate the effect of progesterone (prog.) concentrations (10, 20 and 30 ppm), gamma rays (γ) doses (100,150 and 250 rad), helium neon laser rays (He-Ne) exposure time (1.0, 5.5 and 11.5 min.) and argon laser rays (Ar) exposure time (1.0, 7.5 and 15.5 min.) and some interaction treatments between progesterone and irradiation treatments on biochemical constituents i.e. growth regulators and some enzymes activity in gerbera leaves. For this reason, at the greenhouse of the National Research Centre, Dokki, Giza, Egypt. Pot experiments were carried out two successive seasons of 2006 and 2007, and growth regulators (IAA, GA 3 , Cytok. and ABA), some enzymes activity in gerbera leaves (POD, CAT, Alk. phosph and Acid. phosph) and protein content were determined. The results showed that, low conc. of progesterone hormone, low exposure time of argon and He-Ne laser has a great effect on increasing POD activities and Cytokine content. Gamma rays at 150 rad increased ABA, POD, CAT and Alkaline and acid phosphatase, while 250 rad increased IAA and GA-like substances. The least value of alkaline phosphatase activity was recorded by progesterone treatments.