Radiation-induced changes in enzymes of wheat during seed germination and seedling growth

Wheat seeds were irradiated at doses of 0, 5, 20, 40, 60 and 80 krad, respectively. All irradiation dosage inhibited seedling growth except 5 krad. 5 krad irradiation actually stimulated seedling growth. Irradiation above 20 krad resulted in activity increase of both peroxidase and acid phosphatase enzymes, while the growth stimulating dose of 5 krad inhibited the activities of these two enzymes. Catalase activities were higher in seeds irradiated at doses of 5 krad and 20 krad, but lower at doses of 40 krad, 60 krad and 80 krad. High dose irradiation, above 30 krad, resulted in greater inhibition of both invertase and hydrogenase activities