Post-Irradiation Physiological Changes in Dormant Gladiolus Cormels

Dormant cormels of gladiolus were irradiated with a low (1 KR) and a high dose (10 KR) of ⁶⁰Co-gamma rays and examined for their effects on several physiological parameters during post-irradiation period of about 7 weeks. Cormels irradiated with 1 KR dose generally exhibited slight earliness in sprouting, an increase in oxygen-uptake, stimulation of α - amylase prior to sprouting and rise in sugars. 10 KR - treatment delayed the sproutiug, decreased the oxygen-uptake and inhibited the α-amylase activity but induced slight rise in sugar levels. Irradiation-induced earliness and delay in sprouting have been discussed vis-a-vis changes in other physiological parameters.