DISCUSSION

In this case study, the title that will be discussed is the effect of radiation on seed
germination. Radiation is about the emission and propagation of energy in the form of waves,
rays or particles. In radiation, there also have three main type of radiation such as non-ionizing
radiation, ionizing radiation and also neutrons. For non-ionizing radiation it was release of
energy from the lower-energy region of the electromagnetic spectrum. This includes light, radio,
microwaves, infrared (heat), and ultraviolet light. Then for ionizing is the radiation with
sufficient energy to remove an electron from an atomic orbital, forming an ion. Ionizing radiation
includes x-ray, gamma rays, alpha particles, and beta particles. Third type of main radiation is
neutrons; they are particles that was found in the atomic nucleus. When they break off of the
nucleus, they have energy and act as radiation.

Next, in this case it is also has another three type of radiation which are radiation of
alpha, radiation of beta and radiation of gamma. First, for radiation of alpha the helium atoms
was moved very fast this is because it have high energy, typically in the MeV range, but due to
their large mass, they are stopped by just a few inches of air, or a piece of paper. Next, for
radiation of beta the electrons also was moved very fast this is because of they typically have
energies in the range of a few hundred keV to several MeV. Since electrons are might lighter
than helium atoms, they are able to penetrate further, through several feet of air, or several
millimetres of plastic or less of very light metals. Then for radiation of gamma these are photons,
just like light, except of much higher energy, typically from several keV to several MeV. X-Rays
and gamma rays are really the same thing, the difference is how they were produced. Depending
on their energy, they can be stopped by a thin piece of aluminium foil, or they can penetrate
several inches of lead.

After that, the cobalt that used for radiation of seed is Cobalt-60 this is because Cobalt-60
(60Co), is a synthetic radioactive isotope of cobalt with a half-life of 5.2714 years. It is produced
artificially in nuclear reactors. However, corresponding to its half-life the radioactive activity of
one gram of Cobalt-60 is 44 TBq (about 1100 curies) [7] (Protection & Monitoring, 2013). The
absorbed dose constant is related to the decay energy and time. For Cobalt-60 it is equal to 0.35
mSv/(GBq h) at one meter from the source [8] (Protection & Monitoring, 2013). This allows
calculation of the equivalent dose, which depends on distance and activity. Besides, the main
advantage of Cobalt-60 is that it is a high intensity gamma-ray emitter with a relatively long half-
life, 5.27 years [9] (Bhattacharyya, Ivkovic, & Jetley, 1978), compared to other gamma ray
sources of similar intensity. The β-decay energy is low and easily shielded. However, the
gamma-ray emission lines have energies around 1.3 MeV, and are highly penetrating. In this
case the seeds of Gazania, Everlasting and Water Spinach was shoot until 17 days with using the
Cobalt-60 this is because to purpose to see the effect on the seed whether it affects faster or later
to germinate. In this situation, Cobalt-60 are used as it was produces gamma rays. This is
because gamma rays are stronger than alpha and beta rays. Therefore Cobalt-60 have been used
in this case analysis, because only gamma rays can able to penetrate the seeds perfectly.

However, for this case analysis, there are three situation have been compared which are
the three different seeds such as Gazania, Everlasting, and Water Spinach that have been expose
by original, single source radiation and double source radiation. In this case also, the dose rate
was used also different for each source, this because it want to see the possibilities, whether
seeds are faster to germinate or not. The dose rate for single container 1 and container 2 for
before shoot the radiation without any samples are 25.2 MSV and 22.06 MSV, so the dose rate
before shoot the radiation with samples for container 1 and container 2 are 75.6 MSV and 50.86
MSV. After that, the dose rate was used for container 1 and container 2 after shoot the radiation
with sample before take it out are 152.4 MSV and 121.92 MSV . However, the dose rate for after
shoot the radiation for container 1 and container 2 when the seeds are take it out are 152.4 MSV
and 125.04 MSV.

Besides, for double source, the dose rate was used before shoot the radiation without any
samples is 83.28 MSV and with the samples is 87.6 MSV. Meanwhile, the dose rate after shoot
the radiation before the samples were take it out is 12.48 MSV and the dose rate after the
samples were take it out is 15.36 MSV. In this case the seeds have been have been planted with
soil and organic fertilizer. In this experiment was show the seed was planted by using originally
without any radiation which are Gazania, Everlasting and Water Spinach, it take the longest time
for Water Spinach to germinate compared to the Gazania and Everlasting that exposed with
radiation. Where the seed that has been expose by Cobalt-60 for single source and double source
between the seeds causes the growth rate increases . This is because the higher doses of cobalt
are used the shorter the time taken for the seed to germinate. Based on the result from the
experiment which is observe the height (cm) of the seeds germinate with the time taken ( day)
which using 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 for three different seeds . For the seed that did not expose to the
radiation that labeled as the original with different 3 seeds. The first one is Gazania, the height
(cm) for the time (day) 0 is 1.0, the time (day) 2 is 1.5, the time (day) 4 is 2.3, the time (day) 6 is
3.8, the time (day) 8 is 5.3 and the time (day) 10 is 7.0 . Next, for Everlasting, the height (cm) for
the time (day) 0 is 0.4, the time (day) 2 is 0.9, the time (day) 4 is 1.9, the time (day) 6 is 3.4, the
time (day) 8 is 5.3 and the time (day) 10 is 6.0. After that, for Water Spinach, the height (cm) for
the time (day) 0 is 0.5, the time (day) 2 is 2.6, the time (day) 4 is 5.1, the time (day) 6 is 7.9, the
time (day) 8 is 10.9 and the time (day) 10 is 14.4. The results for seed expose to radiation for
single source between three different seeds also have been observed. The first one is is Gazania,
the height (cm) for the time (day) 0 is 1.0, the time (day) 2 is 1.5, the time (day) 4 is 2.2, the time
(day) 6 is 3.1, the time (day) 8 is 4.2 and the time (day) 10 is 5.5 . Next, for Everlasting, the
height (cm) for the time (day) 0 is 0.4, the time (day) 2 is 1.4, the time (day) 4 is 2.6, the time
(day) 6 is 4.0, the time (day) 8 is 5.6 and the time (day) 10 is 7.5. After that, for Water Spinach,
the height (cm) for the time (day) 0 is 0.5, the time (day) 2 is 2.0, the time (day) 4 is 4.8, the time
(day) 6 is 8.6, the time (day) 8 is 13.6 and the time (day) 10 is 16.0. Besides, the results for last
is three different seeds are exposed to the double source of radiation. The first one is Gazania,
the height (cm) for the time (day) 0 is 1.0, the time (day) 2 is 1.5, the time (day) 4 is 2.3, the time
(day) 6 is 3.4, the time (day) 8 is 4.8 and the time (day) 10 is 5.1. Next, for Everlasting, the
height (cm) for the time (day) 0 is 0.4, the time (day) 2 is 0.9, the time (day) 4 is 1.8, the time
(day) 6 is 3.1, the time (day) 8 is 4.8 and the time (day) 10 is 5.9. After that, for Water Spinach,
the height (cm) for the time (day) 0 is 0.5, the time (day) 2 is 1.0, the time (day) 4 is 2.7, the time
(day) 6 is 5.8, the time (day) 8 is 10.5 and the time (day) 10 is 16.8. From the results, the seed
from three different seeds for original which is not expose with radiation, single source of
radiation and double source radiation that take the shortest time to germinate is Water Spinach
compared to the Gazania and Everlasting. The uses of gamma radiation can increase the
germination of seeds as long it were used the low dose rate of gamma radiation [10] (Arthur &
Villavicencio, 2017).
 Lastly, in this experiment, there are somes skills that have be applied. The first skill is the
student know how to handle the cobalt-60 by using the equipment given in the lab and follow the
rules. Next, the student observed and take the result and also tabulate the data. Even the
experiment was successful, it is also can be identified that there are some problems that can
cause the final result of this experiment to be interrupted like the rate of radiation exposed,
humanity of the place to germinate the seed, condition of the seeds, the medium used is not
suitable and doses of radiation used. First, between the effects that caused the disturbed seeds
growth is the rate of radiation exposed which means when the shorter times taken to expose the
seed to radiation, the plant tissues was give affected by the radiation is lower. Next, the other
effects that caused the disturbed seeds growth are the humanity of the place to germinate the
seed. When the placed is not exposed to the sunlight also was give the affect for the plant to
growth faster. This is why the plant was put on the suitable placed. So the plants can growth with
easily without adverse effects on plant.

Then, the condition of the seeds also was giving the effect of final result. If the seed used
is not firm it also was give affect in germination process, this is why before start the plants, make
sure the condition of seed in good. Then it was give a good result for the plant. After that, the
medium used is not suitable also was giving the affect into plant. The medium used to germinate
the seed does not contain enough nutrient can give effect to plant. For example, uneven moisture
levels can seriously delay sprouting of a seed, and even a few minutes lack of moisture as a
seedling can kill it, as it has no method of storing water like a mature plant does. During the
germination process, the seeds need much more moisture in the soil than when it has sprouted, so
be aware and decrease the moisture levels as young seedlings emerge and mature. So, before do
the experiments make sure the medium was used is suitable..
10. CONCLUSION

From the experiment that be conclude is Gamma radiation or gamma rays are high-energy
photons that are emitted by radioactive decay of atomic nuclei. Gamma radiation is very high-
energy form of ionizing radiation, with the shortest wavelength. The seed from three different
seeds for original which is not expose with radiation, single source of radiation and double
source radiation that take the shortest time to germinate is Water Spinach compared to the
Gazania and Everlasting. The length of seeds germination within 10 days after it exposed to the
radiation for the radiated seed. The results for seed expose to radiation for single source between
three different seeds also have been observed. The first one is is Gazania, the height (cm) for the
time (day) 0 is 1.0, the time (day) 2 is 1.5, the time (day) 4 is 2.2, the time (day) 6 is 3.1, the time
(day) 8 is 4.2 and the time (day) 10 is 5.5 . Next, for Everlasting, the height (cm) for the time
(day) 0 is 0.4, the time (day) 2 is 1.4, the time (day) 4 is 2.6, the time (day) 6 is 4.0, the time
(day) 8 is 5.6 and the time (day) 10 is 7.5. After that, for Water Spinach, the height (cm) for the
time (day) 0 is 0.5, the time (day) 2 is 2.0, the time (day) 4 is 4.8, the time (day) 6 is 8.6, the time
(day) 8 is 13.6 and the time (day) 10 is 16.0. Besides, the results for last is three different seeds
are exposed to the double source of radiation. The first one is Gazania, the height (cm) for the
time (day) 0 is 1.0, the time (day) 2 is 1.5, the time (day) 4 is 2.3, the time (day) 6 is 3.4, the time
(day) 8 is 4.8 and the time (day) 10 is 5.1. Next, for Everlasting, the height (cm) for the time
(day) 0 is 0.4, the time (day) 2 is 0.9, the time (day) 4 is 1.8, the time (day) 6 is 3.1, the time
(day) 8 is 4.8 and the time (day) 10 is 5.9. After that, for Water Spinach, the height (cm) for the
time (day) 0 is 0.5, the time (day) 2 is 1.0, the time (day) 4 is 2.7, the time (day) 6 is 5.8, the time
(day) 8 is 10.5 and the time (day) 10 is 16.8.lower doses gamma radiation which is use Cobalt-
60 can increase germination of seeds and plant height. Gamma radiation was detectable for the
amounts of free radicals in the studied samples. The relative concentration of the radiation were
deduced that free radicals was found for depend linearly on the doses that have been absorbed.
The present results show that seed treatment with Cobalt- 60 gamma radiation (1 Gy –50 Gy)
increase plant germination, development, and the photosynthetic pigment content with a
concomitant increase of the relative concentration of the paramagnetic species. From the results
obtained by carrying the experiment that showed development exposed to low doses of gamma
radiation and the inhibitory effects of plant growth.