Leaf Anatomy and Photochemical Behaviour of Solanum lycopersicum L. Plants from Seeds Irradiated with Low-LET Ionising Radiation

Plants can be exposed to ionising radiation not only in Space but also on Earth, due to specific technological applications or after nuclear disasters. The response of plants to ionising radiation depends on radiation quality/quantity and/or plant characteristics. In this paper, we analyse some grow...

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Main Authors: V. De Micco, R. Paradiso, G. Aronne, S. De Pascale, M. Quarto, C. Arena
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2014-01-01
Series:The Scientific World Journal
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2014/428141
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author V. De Micco
R. Paradiso
G. Aronne
S. De Pascale
M. Quarto
C. Arena
author_facet V. De Micco
R. Paradiso
G. Aronne
S. De Pascale
M. Quarto
C. Arena
author_sort V. De Micco
collection DOAJ
description Plants can be exposed to ionising radiation not only in Space but also on Earth, due to specific technological applications or after nuclear disasters. The response of plants to ionising radiation depends on radiation quality/quantity and/or plant characteristics. In this paper, we analyse some growth traits, leaf anatomy, and ecophysiological features of plants of Solanum lycopersicum L. “Microtom” grown from seeds irradiated with increasing doses of X-rays (0.3, 10, 20, 50, and 100 Gy). Both juvenile and compound leaves from plants developed from irradiated and control seeds were analysed through light and epifluorescence microscopy. Digital image analysis allowed quantifying anatomical parameters to detect the occurrence of signs of structural damage. Fluorescence parameters and total photosynthetic pigment content were analysed to evaluate the functioning of the photosynthetic machinery. Radiation did not affect percentage and rate of seed germination. Plants from irradiated seeds accomplished the crop cycle and showed a more compact habitus. Dose-depended tendencies of variations occurred in phenolic content, while other leaf anatomical parameters did not show distinct trends after irradiation. The sporadic perturbations of leaf structure, observed during the vegetative phase, after high levels of radiation were not so severe as to induce any significant alterations in photosynthetic efficiency.
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issn 2356-6140
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language English
publishDate 2014-01-01
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series The Scientific World Journal
spelling doaj-art-e8d0fa013dfc49c48f4a087cf7ab62102025-08-20T03:21:09ZengWileyThe Scientific World Journal2356-61401537-744X2014-01-01201410.1155/2014/428141428141Leaf Anatomy and Photochemical Behaviour of Solanum lycopersicum L. Plants from Seeds Irradiated with Low-LET Ionising RadiationV. De Micco0R. Paradiso1G. Aronne2S. De Pascale3M. Quarto4C. Arena5Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, via Università 100, 80055 Portici, ItalyDepartment of Agricultural and Food Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, via Università 100, 80055 Portici, ItalyDepartment of Agricultural and Food Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, via Università 100, 80055 Portici, ItalyDepartment of Agricultural and Food Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, via Università 100, 80055 Portici, ItalyDepartment of Physics, University of Naples Federico II, Via Cinthia, 4-80126 Naples, ItalyDepartment of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Via Cinthia, 4-80126 Naples, ItalyPlants can be exposed to ionising radiation not only in Space but also on Earth, due to specific technological applications or after nuclear disasters. The response of plants to ionising radiation depends on radiation quality/quantity and/or plant characteristics. In this paper, we analyse some growth traits, leaf anatomy, and ecophysiological features of plants of Solanum lycopersicum L. “Microtom” grown from seeds irradiated with increasing doses of X-rays (0.3, 10, 20, 50, and 100 Gy). Both juvenile and compound leaves from plants developed from irradiated and control seeds were analysed through light and epifluorescence microscopy. Digital image analysis allowed quantifying anatomical parameters to detect the occurrence of signs of structural damage. Fluorescence parameters and total photosynthetic pigment content were analysed to evaluate the functioning of the photosynthetic machinery. Radiation did not affect percentage and rate of seed germination. Plants from irradiated seeds accomplished the crop cycle and showed a more compact habitus. Dose-depended tendencies of variations occurred in phenolic content, while other leaf anatomical parameters did not show distinct trends after irradiation. The sporadic perturbations of leaf structure, observed during the vegetative phase, after high levels of radiation were not so severe as to induce any significant alterations in photosynthetic efficiency.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2014/428141
spellingShingle V. De Micco
R. Paradiso
G. Aronne
S. De Pascale
M. Quarto
C. Arena
Leaf Anatomy and Photochemical Behaviour of Solanum lycopersicum L. Plants from Seeds Irradiated with Low-LET Ionising Radiation
The Scientific World Journal
title Leaf Anatomy and Photochemical Behaviour of Solanum lycopersicum L. Plants from Seeds Irradiated with Low-LET Ionising Radiation
title_full Leaf Anatomy and Photochemical Behaviour of Solanum lycopersicum L. Plants from Seeds Irradiated with Low-LET Ionising Radiation
title_fullStr Leaf Anatomy and Photochemical Behaviour of Solanum lycopersicum L. Plants from Seeds Irradiated with Low-LET Ionising Radiation
title_full_unstemmed Leaf Anatomy and Photochemical Behaviour of Solanum lycopersicum L. Plants from Seeds Irradiated with Low-LET Ionising Radiation
title_short Leaf Anatomy and Photochemical Behaviour of Solanum lycopersicum L. Plants from Seeds Irradiated with Low-LET Ionising Radiation
title_sort leaf anatomy and photochemical behaviour of solanum lycopersicum l plants from seeds irradiated with low let ionising radiation
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2014/428141
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