CHAPTER I

INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study

Maize, or corn, is a cereal grain which is next to rice.

The kernel of which is largely refined into products used in a

wide range of medical use, food and industrial goods. Corn is a

member of the Maydeae tribe of the grass family, which is

Poaceae. It is the most efficient plant to gain energy from the

sun and transforming it into food. Also, it has a great

plasticity adapting to extreme and different conditions of

sunlight, humidity, temperature and altitude (Biosafety

Cleaning-House,2016).

Corns are prominent sources of carbohydrate, protein, iron,

vitamin B, and other minerals. Kenyans consume maize in a wide

variety of ways (beer and porridges). Green maize is eaten

roasted or boiled mixed or separated with legumes. Every part of

the maize plant has economic value: the grain, leaves, stalk,

tassel, and cob can all be used to produce a large variety of

food and non-food products (National Farmers Information

Services, 2018).

Corn is a summer crop that is best grown in a climate that

offers warm weather and long sun-filled days. (Delp, 2018)

However, in the Philippines, temperature variations during the

maize cropping seasons do not critically affect the maize crop

as do rainfall variations. Nonetheless, it grows best in air

temperatures from 16° to 35°C (Albert, 2009).

Gamma rays are a form of electromagnetic radiation.

Electromagnetic radiation has a stream of photons, which are

massless particles each traveling in a wave-like pattern and

moving at the speed of light. Each photon contains a certain

amount (or bundle) of energy and Gamma-ray photons have the

highest energy in the EMR spectrum and their waves have the

shortest wavelength (Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear

Safety Agency, 2019).

Gamma radiation may have different effects on plants and

mammals depending on the radiation quality/quantity and/or cell

characteristics as well as the developmental stage of the

organism, which is generally more sensitive during the initial

phase of the life cycle. Moreover, the biological effects of

gamma radiation are not only limited to the organism exposed to

irradiation but may also involve next generations, although, in

humans no direct evidence of hereditary effects caused by

radiation has been reported so far. There are strong differences

in the structure and metabolism between mammalian and plant

cells which might be responsible for the higher resistance of

plant cells. Thus, non-lethal doses for plants may be very

dangerous or fatal for humans, causing death within days or

weeks, mostly due to infections resulting from a depletion of

white blood cells (Arena, De Micco, Macaeva, Quintens, 2014).

Mutation breeding program at Philippine Nuclear Research

Institute has contributed to crop improvement in the Philippines

with the development of mutant crop varieties and several

variants of ornamental plants with desirable traits. Radiation-

induced rice mutants are being used in crosses with other

traditional varieties/cultivars for varietal improvements

program. Tools of biotechnology on the use of in-vitro culture

and molecular techniques are being integrated in the mutation

breeding program to enhance the efficiency of mutations.

Molecular markers, Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism -

Polymerase Chain Reaction technology is being used for DNA

fingerprinting gamma radiation-induced mutants of food crops as

well as ornamentals. Recently, the REMAP and IRAP methods are

being utilized in the detection of polymorphism in mangosteen.

PNRI has collaboration with different government agencies and

farmer co-operators in the implementation of our research

activities in order to have sharing of resources that is

necessary in the attainment of breeding objectives for national

development (Lapade, Manrique, Veluz, Barrida, Aurigue, Grafia,

2011).

The Philippines Nuclear Research Institute operates

irradiation machines: the Cobalt-60 Multipurpose irradiation

Facilities, the Gammacell-220, and the Electron Beam Irradiation

Facility. PNRI allows the use of these facilities to many

clients for irradiation of food, medical products sterilization,

and for research purposes. The produced gamma rays can kill and

prevent microorganisms from multiplying in food, medicines,

cosmetics, and packaging. The radiation boosts and helps the

sprouting of bulbs like garlic and onions, also for ripening of

fruits and reduction of infesting stored products. It increases

chance or incidence of genetic changes in plants, also

acceleration of developing useful mutants (Philippine Nuclear

Research Institute, 2019).

Statement of the Problem

The main problem of this research is to determine the

effect of gamma irradiation in corn (Zea mays) as a part of

mutation breeding.

The sub-problems of this research are the following:

1. What are the effects of gamma irradiation in corn (Zea

Mays)as a part of mutation breeding based on:

 a. Germination rate of the plant

b. Height of the plant

c. Productivity

2. Is there a significant difference in the effect of gamma

irradiation in corn (Zea Mays) as a part of mutation

breeding based on:

a. Germination rate of the plant

b. Height of the plant

c. Productivity

Hypothesis

There is no significant difference in the effect of gamma

irradiation in corn (Zea Mays) as a part of mutation breeding

based on the germination rate, height, and productivity of the

plant.

Significance of the Study

Rice is the staple Filipino food. The Philippines, despite

being the top 8 producer of rice as of 2017-2018, still cannot

produce an amount of rice that could keep up with the demand of

the Filipinos. The country imports rice from various countries.

In 2018, the Philippines had spent US$357.7 million by importing

rice from 10 countries namely: Vietnam, Thailand, Pakistan,

India, China, Myanmar, Japan, Italy, South Korea, and Spain. As

a solution to this problem, the researchers believe that we

would need an alternative staple food. In few provinces in the

Philippines, corn grits are made as a substitute to rice. Corn

grits has all the nutrients of rice and contains more fiber and

less carbohydrate. This is a healthier and cheaper option than

rice. This research could help the Department of Agriculture-

Bureau of Plant Industry in producing corn grits if the study

results to positive outcomes. It will also benefit the local

government units as the intake of rice would be reduced and the

funds used for importing rice could be used for other projects.

However, if the study results to negative outcomes, this study

would still be beneficial as it could be a platform for an

improved study on mutation breeding of corn.

To the corn farmers, this study will help them by providing

information regarding the dosage of gamma radiation exposure to

corns for them to increase the quantity and quality of their

crops.

To the Filipino people, this research will benefit them by

learning the effects of gamma irradiation to corns and will give

them the ability to make their crops better in quality that will

improve their health.

To the researchers, conducting this study will help them

improve their various skills such as cooperation, patience,

attitude and their thinking skills to get ready for the future

endeavors. The researchers’ planting skills will enhance as they

sow, grow, and harvest the corn. It will also improve their

abilities in closely examining the differences of the corns

exposed to different dosages of gamma radiation, measuring the

length and weight precisely, and recording and analyzing the

data for interpretation in coming up with a conclusion in the

effect of gamma irradiation in corn (Zea Mays). The stated

skills will redound to the researchers as these abilities could

be used in other matters.

Scope and Limitations of the Study

This research aims to know the effect of gamma radiation

in the germination rate, height, and productivity of the corn

plant as a part of Mutation Breeding. The researchers will focus

on the said parameters only. They will conduct the experiment in

June 2019 up to December 2019.

They will purchase corn seeds to irradiate from Ramgo

International Corporation online. The researchers will not be

responsible for the treatments done to the corn seed.

The exposure of the corn seeds to gamma radiation will be

done at the Philippine Nuclear Research Institute located at

Commonwealth Avenue, Diliman, Lungsod Quezon, 1101 Kalakhang

Maynila. The gamma radiation that will be used is under the

control of the researchers. Each treatment has different dosages

of gamma radiation.

It will also be observed at the backyard of the house of

one the researchers. The extraneous variables such as soil

treatment done by the residents of the house, the temperature

and humidity of the location, and the exposure to sunlight are

not under the control of the researchers.

In this research, the independent variable is the different

dosages of gamma radiation per treatment; while, the dependent

variable is the growth of each corn depending on the amount of

exposure.

Definition of Terms

Gamma Radiation -penetrating electromagnetic radiation of a kind

arising from the radioactive decay of atomic nuclei

Inflorescence - the complete flower head of a plant including

stems, stalks, bracts, and flowers

Ionization - is the process by which an atom or a molecule

acquires a negative or positive charge by gaining or losing

electrons, often in conjunction with other chemical changes.

Irradiation-the process or fact of irradiating or being

irradiated

Isotope – a variant of a particular chemical element which

differ in neutron number, and consequently in nucleon number.

Kernel - the softer, usually edible part contained in the shell

of a nut or the stone of a fruit

Mutagen - a physical or chemical agent that changes the genetic

material, usually DNA, of an organism and thus increases the

frequency of mutations above the natural background level

Mutation Breeding - the process of exposing seeds to chemicals

or radiation in order to generate mutants with desirable traits

to be bred with other cultivars.

Photons - massless particles each traveling in a wave-like

pattern and moving at the speed of light.

Pistil - the female reproductive part of a flower

Rad - a unit of absorbed radiation dose equal to 0.01 Gray

Spikelet - the basic unit of a grass flower

Tassel - the top most part of a corn plant; the part of the

plant where the pollen comes from.