Effect of X-ray radiation on the viability of European beech seeds

Abstract

Fagus sylvatica seeds from the "Plaiul Fagului" Natural Reserve, Republic of Moldova (PF-23) were treated in peeled (without pericarp) and unpeeled (with pericarp) form with X-ray doses from 25 to 425 Gy. No linear dependence of the viability of both peeled and unpeeled seeds on the radiation dose was established using the hydrogen peroxide test (HP). The use of the Indigo-carmine test (IC) made it possible to reveal a linear dependence of the viability of beech seeds (with pericarp) on the irradiation dose of X-rays. X-ray treatment in doses from 50 to 300 Gy reduced seed viability in the range from 39.53 to 48.84% (limit 50%); X-rays treatment above 600 Gy reduced seed viability by 67.44% or more.