title: Single high-dose vs. fractionated radiotherapy: Effects on plant growth rates.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the differential effects of fractionated vs. high-dose radiotherapy on plant growth.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Interest in hypofractionated radiotherapy has increased substantially in recent years as tumours (especially of the lung, prostate, and liver) can be irradiated with ever greater accuracy due to technological improvements. The effects of low-dose ionizing radiation on plant growth have been studied extensively, yet few studies have investigated the effect of high-dose, hypofractionated radiotherapy on plant growth development.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 150 plants from the genus Capsicum annuum were randomized to receive fractionated radiotherapy (5 doses of 10 Gy each), single high-dose (SHD) radiotherapy (single 50 Gy dose), or no radiotherapy (control group). Irradiation was delivered via linear accelerator and all samples were followed daily for 26 days to assess and compare daily growth.
  
  
  RESULTS
  On day 26, plants in the control, fractionated, and SHD groups had grown to a mean height of 7.55 cm, 4.32 cm, and 2.94 cm, respectively. These differences in overall growth were highly significant (P = 0.005). The SHD group showed the least amount of growth.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  SHD effectively stunts plant growth and development. Despite the evident differences between plant and animal cells, ionizing radiation is believed to work in a similar manner in all biological cells. These findings highlight the need to continue investigating the use of hypofractionated schemes in humans to improve cancer treatment outcomes.
authors.affiliation: FERT School, Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Marc
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Guedea
authors.affiliation: L'Institut Universitari Dexeus, Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Antoni
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Castel
authors.affiliation: L'Institut Universitari Dexeus, Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Marc
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Arnalte
authors.affiliation: Universitat de Girona, Girona, Spain.
authors.forename: Alex
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mollera
authors.affiliation: FERT School, Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Victor
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Muñoz
authors.affiliation: Institut Català d'Oncologia, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Ferran
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Guedea
keywords: Hypofractionation; Plants; Single dose