title: [Genetic effects of low-dose chronic irradiation of developing seeds of Arabidopsis thaliana Heynh].
abstract: A six-year study, starting in 1987, focused on the frequency of embryonic lethals and chlorophyll mutations that arose in developing seeds of Arabidopsis thaliana growing at sites varying in the level of radioactive contamination in the 30-km control region of the Chernobyl Atomic Power Plant. The dose rate of chronic irradiation varied from 200 microR/h to 2.4 R/h. To study the genetic effects of various levels of radioactive contamination, the frequency of mutations arising in a particular generation was determined and the irradiation dose was estimated for the given generation. The dose dependence of the mutation frequency proved to follow a power function with a power less than unity, suggesting a relatively high effect for low-dose irradiation. Possible explanations of this phenomenon are discussed.
authors.forename: V I
authors.initials: VI
authors.lastname: Abramov
authors.forename: A V
authors.initials: AV
authors.lastname: Rubanovich
authors.forename: V A
authors.initials: VA
authors.lastname: Shevchenko
mesh_terms: D000398:Air Pollution, Radioactive / Q000009:adverse effects; D017360:Arabidopsis / Q000235:genetics*; D001610:Beta Particles / Q000009:adverse effects; D047852:Chernobyl Nuclear Accident; D004307:Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; D005720:Gamma Rays / Q000009:adverse effects; D049673:History, 20th Century; D009154:Mutation / Q000528:radiation effects*; D018788:Radioactive Hazard Release; D012639:Seeds / Q000235:genetics* / Q000254:growth & development