Relative Cytogenetic Efficiency of Muons and π - Mesons in Zea mays (L.) and Its Modification by Postirradiation Storage

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Abstract
Dormant seeds of a stock of Zea mays heterozygous for the yellow-green allgles Yg2/yg2 were irradiated with muons ([mu]-particles) and negative [pi] mesons ([pi] -particles) from the Alternating Gradient Synchrotron at Brookhaven National Laboratory. The efficiency of muons was 0.76, and that of [pi] - mesons was 3. 32, compared with 250-kvp X-rays. Postirradiation storage for [image] 18 weeks increased the efficiency of muons to 1.58, and that of [pi] - mesons to 4. 14. The high relative biological efficiency of [pi] - mesons was found only for the tested chromosomal damage of alteration, not for biological parameters involving germination and growth.