Study on the Relationship between Seed Absorbed Dose and Seed Composition of 252Cf Neutron Source Irradiated Bean Seed

Dapeng Xu,Zheng Wei,Yingguo Li,Ze’En Yao,Yongzhi Yin,Huyuan Feng

doi:10.1038/s41598-019-45829-1

Abstract

This study aims to further identify the biological effects of neutron-irradiated plants and provides insights into the mutation breeding of such plants. In this study, the neutron irradiation device designed by our institute was used to analyze the relationship between the seed components in different legume crops and their neutron absorption dose rate, fission gamma absorption dose rate, and induced gamma absorption dose rate. The results show that the effect sizes of the components on the neutron absorbed dose rate are as follows: ash > fat > moisture > carbohydrate > protein. The effect sizes of the components on the absorbed dose rate of fission gamma are as follows: ash > moisture > fat > carbohydrate > protein. There is a positive correlation between fission gamma absorbed dose rate and the weight of ash, water and fat, while a negative correlation with carbohydrate and protein. However, the linear relationship between each component and the absorbed dose rate of induced gamma is not significant, this needs to be identified by further researches. Based on the results of the present study, we conclude that the neutron absorbed dose can be calculated without taking into account the fat composition of bean crop seeds (except for soybean seeds) in the process of mutation breeding induced by radiation. In special cases where the accuracy requirement of the dose rate is not high, it is possible to use protein instead of legume crop seeds for neutron absorption dose calculations.

Highlights

To carry out the research work on biological effects and mutation breeding of neutron radiation plants, we designed an experimental device for neutron irradiated plant seeds based on 252Cf source
There was a positive correlation between the mass percentage of seed ash and absorption dose rate of both fission gamma and the induced gamma in the three zones
The results show that there is a positive correlation between the mass percentage of seed fat and the absorbed dose rate of neutrons, fission gammas, and the induced gammas in the three sub-regions

Summary

Introduction

To carry out the research work on biological effects and mutation breeding of neutron radiation plants, we designed an experimental device for neutron irradiated plant seeds based on 252Cf source. The irradiation device has the characteristics of convenient sample placement and high uniformity of absorbed dose in each irradiation area. The correlation between the content of different components in seeds and their absorbed dose rate was studied for the neutron irradiated seeds of bean plants. (Terms: Neutron absorbed dose rate refers to neutron energy deposition per unit time per unit mass sample.Fission gamma absorbed dose rate represents the fission gamma ray energy deposition per unit time per unit mass sample. Induced gamma absorbed dose rate is the energy deposition of induced gamma ray per unit of time and mass in the sample)

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Results