Agrophysiological Characterization of Maize (Zea mays) Plants from EV 8728 Seeds Irradiated to Gamma Radiation

Maize (Zea mays L.) is a tropical annual herbaceous plant of the Poaceae family. It is a cereal cultivated under very varied conditions ranging from tropical to temperate climates. However, the accentuated climate change causes abiotic and biotic stresses reducing the development and the production of the plants. To improve these plants, it is important to understand the mechanisms involved in these stresses. Two doses of gamma irradiation (200 and 300 grays) were applied to the seeds of a variety (EV8728) of maize grown on an experimental plot at the Jean Lorougnon Guédé University (UJLoG). Thus, the morphological, physiological and biochemical behaviors of the plants were evaluated. The results showed that gamma radiation significantly reduces morphological parameters. However, this reduction is accentuated at 300 grays. At the physiological and biochemical level, the radiation reduced the chlorophyll a, b and total (t) contents and the carotenoid content. Additionally, the contents of proline, total protein and total sugar increased with 200 grays and decreased for 300 grays. However, the phenolic compounds content increases with the irradiation dose.