title: Effects of different doses of low power continuous wave he-ne laser radiation on some seed thermodynamic and germination parameters, and potential enzymes involved in seed germination of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.).
abstract: In this study, water-soaked seeds of sunflower were exposed to He-Ne laser irradiation of different energies to determine whether or not He-Ne laser irradiation caused changes to seed thermodynamic and germination parameters as well as effects on the activities of germination enzymes. The experiment comprised four energy levels: 0 (control), 100, 300 and 500mJ of laser energy and each treatment replicated four times arranged in a completely randomized design. The experimentation was performed under the greenhouse conditions in the net-house of the Department of Botany, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad. The seed thermodynamic parameters were calculated according to seed germination thermograms determined with a calorimeter at 25.8°C for 72h. Various thermodynamic parameters of seed (ΔH, (ΔS)(e), (ΔS)(c), (ΔS)(e) /Δt and (ΔS)(c) /Δt) were affected significantly due to presowing laser treatment. Significant changes in seed germination parameters and enzyme activities were observed in seeds treated with He-Ne laser. The He-Ne laser seed treatment resulted in increased activities of amylase and protease. These results indicate that the low power continuous wave He-Ne laser light seed treatment has considerable biological effects on seed metabolism. This seed treatment technique can be potentially employed to enhance agricultural productivity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physics, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Rashida
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Perveen
authors.forename: Qasim
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Ali
authors.forename: Muhammad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ashraf
authors.forename: Fahad
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Al-Qurainy
authors.forename: Yasir
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Jamil
authors.forename: Muhammad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Raza Ahmad
mesh_terms: D004307:Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; D018525:Germination / Q000528:radiation effects*; D006368:Helianthus / Q000201:enzymology / Q000254:growth & development / Q000528:radiation effects; D007834:Lasers; D012639:Seeds / Q000201:enzymology / Q000254:growth & development / Q000528:radiation effects; D013816:Thermodynamics