The effect of gamma irradiation of seeds on germination, growth, mineral contents and yield of two barley varieties grown under saline conditions

Seeds of two barley varieties [Arabi Abiad (AA) and Pakistani PK 30163 (PK)] were irradiated with 0 and 15 Gy doses of gamma irradiation. Then, they were sown on salty soil (16.8-18 dS/m) and irrigated with salty water (7-8 dS/m). Gamma irradiation significantly increased the percent of seedling emergence of the PK only. At the heading stage, gamma irradiation decreased % of total N of PK and increased shoots dry weight, Mg++, P content and % of total N of AA. K+ content of the PK was lower than that of the AA. At the harvest stage, gamma irradiation increased total and grain yields, and harvest index of the PK variety; however, straw yield and 1000 grain weight of the AA were higher than those of the PK.