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U.S. Department of Energy
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Physiological studies on radiation effects in plants

Thesis/Dissertation ·
OSTI ID:4414218
Thesis. The effects of x radiation on the morphological characters of barley seeds (Hordeum vulgare var. Himalaya) during germination and early seedling growth were studied. The materials and methods used for the irradiation as well as the estimation of morphological and physiological parameters are described in detail. Various factors such as germination and growth, including elongation and fresh and dry weights. are discussed. Preliminary dose selection studies revealed that x ray doses of 0.4 and 1.6 kr were stimulatory to plant growth. and a dose of 45 kr proved inhibitory. A correlation between physiological changes and morphological growth was observed. /sup 14/C-Leucine incorporation studies showed that an initial enhancement of protein synthesis seemed to occur even in 45 kr-treated seeds. The activity of the proteolyctic enzyme, protease, which hydrolyses proteins into amino acids was found to increase with low dose treatment. It is inferred that radiation induced stimulation and inhibition of growth in the germinating irradiated barley seeds are dose dependent. These morphological responses find good correspondence with the radiation effects on basic physiological processes like carbohydrate and protein metabolism and respiration. (auth)
Research Organization:
Bombay Univ. (India)
NSA Number:
NSA-29-007936
OSTI ID:
4414218
Report Number(s):
INIS-mf--705
Country of Publication:
India
Language:
English