(Fwd) irradiation

------- Forwarded Message Follows -------
Date:          Fri, 20 Feb 1998 07:23:18 -0700
From:          "Carolyn S. Jaussi" <csjaussi@cc.usu.edu>
Subject:       irradiation
To:            anderson.christian_d@seattle.va.gov
Cc:            sln8m@cc.usu.edu

Hello!

My son Jonathan is an avid fan of huge pumpkins.  He forwarded your message
to me.  I'm a biologist for the USDA here in Logan Utah where we do genetic
research on plants.  I have read extensively about irradiation, but no
longer have those materials in my possession.  I'll wing it!

"Mutation breeding" was first tried in the fifties, as soon as it became
obvious that our nuclear bombs and x-rays were causing irreversibly changes
in people exposed to them.  Plant biologists were extatic, thinking that
this opened up huge possibilities for new characteristics in horticultural
varities.

Success was reported only for the dicots (broadleaf plants).  Things like
grass and lilies were very unresponsive, and scientists still have to use
other methods to get changes there.  The first reports of positive results
(after a load of negative results such as stunting, twisting, ugly colors,
etc) were in the african violet family.  There are still some stunning
streptocarpus (cape primrose) cultivars on the market that had their
beginnings in x-ray-induced mutations.  Obviously, the mutations are
permanent so they are passed down to the seed generations, if the character
is fairly dominant.  This early work produced streps in new, brilliant
colors, mineature forms, and in some cases complete doubling of the
chromosomes which lead to extremely vigorous, large-flowered forms.  

It must be kept in mind that there will be a LARGE number of failures, but
if you have the space for such a space-hogging project, why not?  Just as
long as you take all of the safety precautions against exposure to
yourself.  Anything that can permanently change a plant, can just as easily
turn YOU into a frog.  Your family may not appreciate that!  Radiation is
NOT a toy.  I suggest you go to the biological abstracts in your nearest
university library and check out the mutation breeding papers written in
the 70's and 80's.  They will give you the exposure levels needed, and
detail the proceedures you need to follow for the highest possibilities of
success.

There were successes in the Gentian family in the 80's by a Dr Mark Row at
Beltsville MD in the ornamental horticulture branch of the USDA's plant
introduction facility.  Watch for his name.

Here's a possible option.  Common caffeine has proven to be a bit less
effective but a good deal more safe.  You might first try exposing
sprouting seeds to a strong caffeine solution for about 20 minutes.  Get
some Vivarin at your pharmacy.

Carolyn 

Good luck!  I wish I could have been more helpful.




***************************************************************
  Carolyn S. Jaussi               
  Biologist
  USDA ARS FRRL                
  Utah State University  
  700 N 1100 E   
  Logan UT 84322-6300     
  Phone: (435)-797-3222  
  FAX: (435)-797-3075 
  Email: csjaussi@cc.usu.edu                   
  
***************************************************************
********************************************************
jon and carrie jaussi http://cc.usu.edu/~sln8m/momo.html
********************************************************
---------------------------------------------------------------------
To sign-off this list, send email to majordomo@mallorn.com with the
message text UNSUBSCRIBE PUMPKINS
Other Mailing lists | Author Index | Date Index | Subject Index | Thread Index