Effect of Low Dose Irradiation on Germination and Mold Infection of Unpolished Rice

Abstract

Six kinds of unpolished rices (moisture; 13.0-13.5%) were irradiated with gamma rays, doses of 0.2 and 0.5kGy and stored for three months at room temperature during the summer season (20-32°C, 70-85% r.h.). The infection by molds, mainly Aspergillus spp., was high in the unirradiated rice, whereas it was very little in the irradiated one. The gemination of the unirradiated rice was 17-47% after the storage periods, while that of the irradiated one was 55-99%. The retention of a high germination by the irradiation may be due to the possible fungistatic, insectcidal and germination stimulating effects of the irradiation.