Abstract
The study aimed to examine the influence of different doses (0, 5, 10, and 20 Gray) of gamma radiation on growth, yield traits, and biochemical constituents of barley plants. The low doses (5 and 10 Gy) significantly improved the growth and yield of barley crop. Surprisingly, a higher dose (20 Gy) increased shoot growth and tillers number. Photosynthetic pigments were increased markedly at low doses (5 Gy) whereas decreased at high one. Gamma radiation enhanced total phenols, total flavonoids, total amino acids, antioxidant enzymes and H(2)O(2). In addition, the protein profile showed varies in response depending on the applied dose. Conversely, gamma rays resulted in lower total sugars and proline than the corresponding control values. Ultimately, the modified antioxidant potential, protein pattern, and metabolic changes of barley exhibited the effectiveness of low doses of gamma irradiation in improving growth, and yield of barley plants.