title: Leaf anatomy and photochemical behaviour of Solanum lycopersicum L. plants from seeds irradiated with low-LET ionising radiation.
abstract: Plants can be exposed to ionising radiation not only in Space but also on Earth, due to specific technological applications or after nuclear disasters. The response of plants to ionising radiation depends on radiation quality/quantity and/or plant characteristics. In this paper, we analyse some growth traits, leaf anatomy, and ecophysiological features of plants of Solanum lycopersicum L. "Microtom" grown from seeds irradiated with increasing doses of X-rays (0.3, 10, 20, 50, and 100 Gy). Both juvenile and compound leaves from plants developed from irradiated and control seeds were analysed through light and epifluorescence microscopy. Digital image analysis allowed quantifying anatomical parameters to detect the occurrence of signs of structural damage. Fluorescence parameters and total photosynthetic pigment content were analysed to evaluate the functioning of the photosynthetic machinery. Radiation did not affect percentage and rate of seed germination. Plants from irradiated seeds accomplished the crop cycle and showed a more compact habitus. Dose-depended tendencies of variations occurred in phenolic content, while other leaf anatomical parameters did not show distinct trends after irradiation. The sporadic perturbations of leaf structure, observed during the vegetative phase, after high levels of radiation were not so severe as to induce any significant alterations in photosynthetic efficiency.
authors.affiliation: Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, via Università 100, 80055 Portici, Italy.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: De Micco
authors.affiliation: Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, via Università 100, 80055 Portici, Italy.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Paradiso
authors.affiliation: Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, via Università 100, 80055 Portici, Italy.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Aronne
authors.affiliation: Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, via Università 100, 80055 Portici, Italy.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: De Pascale
authors.affiliation: Department of Physics, University of Naples Federico II, Via Cinthia, 4-80126 Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Quarto
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Via Cinthia, 4-80126 Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Arena
mesh_terms: D002734:Chlorophyll / Q000032:analysis; D000077194:Chlorophyll A; D004307:Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; D018525:Germination / Q000528:radiation effects; D018551:Solanum lycopersicum / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000737:chemistry / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism / Q000528:radiation effects*; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000528:radiation effects*; D012639:Seeds / Q000528:radiation effects*; D014965:X-Rays / Q000009:adverse effects
chemical_list: D002734:Chlorophyll; D000077194:Chlorophyll A