Title: Effects of low-dose irradiation on two plant models: Stipa capillata and Pisum sativum

Authors: Christian Chenal, Rahiana Zaka, Florence Legue, Marie-Therese Misset

Addresses: UMR CNRS 6553 Ecobio, Universite de Rennes 1, 35042 Rennes cedex, France. ' UMR CNRS 6553 Ecobio, Universite de Rennes 1, 35042 Rennes cedex, France. ' UMR CNRS 6553 Ecobio, Universite de Rennes 1, 35042 Rennes cedex, France. ' UUMR CNRS 6553 Ecobio, Universite de Rennes 1, 35042 Rennes cedex, France.

Abstract: Plants are useful models for assessing the effects of radiation. We describe a short synthesis of our more recent results: radio-induced oxidative stress – our data suggest in chronically irradiated seeds of Stipa capillata a natural selection of the most adapted genotypes characterised by the capacity of induction of enzymes involved in the defence against radioactive stress; growth, development, genomic instability – a decrease of growth, number of pods, mean number of normally developed seeds per pod is observed in non irradiated plants (Pisum sativum) issued from irradiated parents; dose-effect curve at low doses – in Pisum sativum root tip meristem, the dose effect curve for chromosome aberrations is found to be supralinear for very low doses. These findings fit with what has been described in animals and fully justify the use of plant models to assess the biological effects of low doses of irradiation in living species.

Keywords: low dose irradiation; plants; oxidative stress; adaptation; isoeffect curves; cytogenetics; genomic instability; low radiaton; plant growth; plant development; dose-effect curve.

DOI: 10.1504/IJLR.2006.012023

International Journal of Low Radiation, 2006 Vol.3 No.2/3, pp.234 - 240

Published online: 09 Jan 2007 *

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