Abstract
Gamma irradiation technology is considered to be very promising for trait-based plant modification. The effect of g-irradiation on the germination, growth, and productivity of daughter generations of barley M1 and M2 is highly relevant. The aims of the study was the creation of a source material for barley breeding in the form of mutant lines with selectively valuable traits, by treating seeds with ionizing radiation using an electron accelerator of the Park of Nuclear Technologies JSC (Kurchatov, Republic of Kazakhstan); as well as to improve and expand the classical methods of breeding based on induced mutagenesis in creating an original gene pool of the source and breeding material of barley for the accelerated and effective introduction of stress tolerant(to salinization and drought) varieties into production in the conditions of Aral Sea impacted landscapes. Seeds of the two varieties of barley were treated with five doses of radiation (from 50 Gy to 250 Gy). The germination and various morphological characteristics of their seedlings at different growing phases were compared with the non-irradiated (control) treatment. The results of this preliminary study showed that both treated varieties were sensitive to the g-irradiation and showed suppressed morphological properties, where the highest dose of 250 Gy showed most inhibiting effect resulting in death of barely seedling. The results obtained will be applied for the further expanded research with other specified doses of g-ray treatment of seeds in order to create a basis in strengthening and deploying full-scale breeding work for diversified crop production in the region and improving existing varieties for further breeding.