Summary Effect of gamma radiation (10 kR) was studied on the germination of freshly harvested seeds of several varieties of barley, wheat and triticale. On the basis of the germination in irradiated seeds in comparison to controls, barley varieties may be categorized into three groups: (I) those showing reduction in germination, (II) those showing stimulation in germination and (III) those remaining unaffected. The mean germination percentage of the controls was 50.7, 19.4 and 2.1 in group I, II and III varieties, respectively. After 6 weeks, varieties in group III lost seed dormancy. The response of these varieties to irradiation then became similar to group I or II. Wheat and triticale varieties also could be grouped in similar way. It has been suggested that germination response of seeds of these cereal varieties to relatively ‘low doses” of gamma radiation depends on their innate dormancy status and germination could be stimulated by gamma radiation (10 kR) in seeds having low germination due to seed dormancy.
