Analysis of Changes in the Genetic Structure of Chronically Irradiated Scots Pine Populations

Abstract

Data about the long-term effects of the chronic radiation exposure of forests to the radioactive trail of the Chernobyl disaster are insufficient. The method of vertical electrophoresis in PAAG is used to estimate the polymorphism of enzymes in Scots pine populations growing on the territory of Bryansk oblast, which was contaminated with radionuclides. The activity of enzymes in Scots pine seeds is estimated by spectrophotometry. The overall frequency of mutations in the isozyme loci increases with the dose rate of chronic irradiation (7–130 mGy/year), as well as some characteristics of the genetic structure of the populations. The activity of enzymes does not depend on the level of the dose absorbed by the generative organs of pine. The impact of radiation contributes to changes in the genetic structure of Scots pine populations.