Effect of Proton Beam Radiation on Bulbil Yield and Gibberellins of Chinese Yam (Dioscorea opposita Thunb.)

The study was carried out to evaluate the affect of proton beam radiation on production of bulbil and tuber including change of endogenous gibberellins, of Dioscorea opposita Thunb. The yield of bulbils and tubers from non- and irradiated D. opposita Thunb at doses of 5, 10, 15 and 20 Gy were determined. Endogenous gibberellins were also quantified by GC/MS analysis. D. opposita tubers irradiated at 15 Gy produced higher bulbil production than non-irradiated plants. Enlarged bulbil (above size diameter 4 mm) was significantly increased at 15 Gy. Bioactive endogenous $GA_4$ was dominant in bulbils and tubers irradiated with proton beam rather than $GA_1$. Major gibberellins biosynthetic pathways in bulbils and tubers of D. opposita plants were non C-13 hydroxylation route. From the results of this study, 15 Gy proton beam radiation was suggested as an optimal dose that can produce high amounts of bulbil for mass production of D. opposita plant.