Some radiobiological effects in higher plants growing on the territory of the East Ural Radioactive Trace

The spontaneous level of cytogenetic damage in three plant species (Achyrophorus maculatus (Scop.) L.; Plantago lanceolata L.; and Plantago media L.) growing on the territory of the East Ural Radioactive Trace is studied. The radiation resistance of plants from radioactive and control nonpolluted sites is determined. The effects of additional fractionated irradiation at different doses and the role of antioxidant systems in the formation of the radioprotector effect are examined. It is shown that the level of the mutation process in the plant population growing at the radiation polluted sites is increased compared to the control populations from nonpolluted territories. Additional acute γ irradiation of seeds collected from polluted and nonpolluted territories demonstrates improved radiation resistance of the plants from the polluted territory. In the control population of A. maculatus in the versions with a one-hour interval between fractions, the radiation effect follows the additivity principle; at the same time, at a one-day interval between fractions, a highly significant radioprotective effect is manifested clearly in the experimental population. For higher plants, the enhanced effectiveness of the functioning of the antioxidant systems in plants growing on territories contaminated with radiation is shown for the first time. Thus, the radioprotector mechanisms of low-dose chronic and preliminary irradiation are similar and one of these mechanisms is activation of the antioxidant systems in plants growing under conditions of chronic low-intensity irradiation for long periods of time.