CYTOGENETIC EFFECTS OF HEAVY CHARGED-PARTICLES OF GALACTIC COSMIC-RADIATION ON PLANTS FLOWN ONBOARD COSMOS-1129

  • 1 January 1982
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 16  (4) , 67-71
Abstract
Lactuca sativa seeds were flown in a biocontainer equipped with plastic detectors to record heavy charged particles (HCP). The experiment was made to determine the yield of aberrant cells as a result of irradiation and to identify this effect as a function of HCP topography in the seed. The cytogenetic examination of flight seedlings revealed a significant difference between the seeds which were hit with HCP and those that remained intact. This indicates a significant contribution of the heavy component of galactic cosmic radiation into the radiobiological effect. The relationship between the radiobiological effect and the HCP topography in the seed was established. The root and stem meristems were the most sensitive targets.