Effect of radiation processing on water absorption and germination of kodo and kutki millets

In pursuit of exploring gamma irradiation as a technology-intervention for de-husking of Kodo and Kutki millets grown widely, authors of this paper observed that irradiation leads to easy de-husking of hardest Kodo grains. Calibration for appropriate dose of irradiation is needed and hence, this study was planned. This technology, if established, may check millet farmers shifting to other crops.

Kodo and Kutki millets were irradiated by gamma radiations for doses of 0 kGy to 10 kGy. Water absorption capacity and germination potential of irradiated grains were measured to determine the dose for desired results.

Water absorption and germination potential of Kodo and Kutki grains improved on irradiation; dose of 2.5 kGy and above resulted in an increase in the quantity of water absorbed and rate of water absorption. The germination also increased but registering maxima at 7.5 kGy for Kodo and 5.0 kGy for Kutki. Irradiation at doses higher than maxima caused decline. Thus, appropriate dose of irradiation was found to be 7.5 kGy for Kodo and 5 kGy for Kutki.