Effect of AET upon radio-sensitivity of wheat seeds

S. MATSUMURA and S. KAWASHIMA

National Institute of Genetics, Misima, Japan

To examine the protection effect of AET (Amino-ethyl-isothiruonium) upon radiosensitivity, seeds of Triticum monococcum flavescens were treated with 0.0001 and 0.001% AET-solution for 24 hrs just before X- and gamma-irradiations at 5 and 9 kr.

Seeds treated with 0.001% solution showed no higher germination rates and no better growth of seedlings than the water-soaked ones, while when treated with 0.0001% solution rather better germination and growth of seedlings were observed. X-rays were more effective than gamma-rays. At X-irradiation, especially when 0.001% treatment was used, AET unexpectedly increased the inhibiting effect of radiation. In gamma-rays the protection effect of AET was generally not found at 9 kr, while only the treatment with 0.0001% AET at 5 kr slightly promoted germination and growth. This promotion might be due to the effect of 0.0001% AET, mentioned above. The protection effect of AET upon radiation could not, therefore, be easily determined.

(Received April 24, 1958)