Hydroxylamine induced chromosome aberrations in Lens esculenta and combined effects with ionizing radiation

Dry and presoaked seeds (6 and 12 hr) of Lens esculenta were irradiated with 1,5,10 and 15 kR X-rays and the effects of radiation were measured from the yield of induced chromosome aberrations observed in roots. The yield of X-ray induced aberrations increased linearly with the exposure. When seeds were presoaked before irradiation there was a remarkable increase in the yield of total aberrations still increasing at the longer presoaking time. Treatments of dry and 6 hr presoaked seeds with HA (0.1%/2 hr) resulted in chromosome breakage not restricted to the heterochromatic regions and influenced by the pH. Post-treatments of 1 and 5 kR X-irradiated seeds (presoaked) with HA (0.1%/2 hr) showed that the yield of aberrations in combined treatment was more than additive, the synergistic effect was depending on the dose of X-rays. (auth.)