الفهرس 
INTRODUCTIONOnly 14 pages are availabe for public view
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Abstract
Abiotic stress mostly controls the synthesis of active constituents in the plants. This work was performed to quantify the response of seed germination, growth characteristics as well as some primary and secondary metabolites of the Cichorium pumilum (Chicory) for gamma radiation stress. However, chicory seeds had been treated with three levels of gamma radiation 20, 40, and 80 gray (Gy) by cobalt 60 gamma radiation then cultivated under normal greenhouse conditions. The results showed that low doses (20 Gy) of gamma radiation increase germination percentage while 80 Gy can proved detrimental effects on germination and morphological characteristics of the growing plant. Gamma doses induced metabolical photosynthetic pigments at all growth stages which reflected on enhanced sucrose content in the root and seeds especially by 40, 80 Gy at late growth stages. Gamma rays also had positive effect on the metabolism of protein. An overall low dose of gamma radiation (20 Gy) was confirmed as the most appropriate dose to improve the growth and metabolic of chicory. The 40 Gy dose increased alkaloids, saponins and phenolic compounds by 276.1 %, 68.4% and 27.6% respectively. The study suggested that 40 Gy dose as an efficient dose to induce metabolism and accumulation of active compounds of chicory plants. In addition, the results of this study support cultivation and the consumption of this plant to produce these compounds.