RE: (Fwd) irradiation

This is great stuff! I'm sure many wish we could see more submissions
like this one on the list.

Before everyone makes a mad dash down to the pharmacy and cleans out
their supply of Vivarin, let me ask you, is everyone so hell-bent on
creating pumpkins of Biblical proportions that they would actually
consider radiation as a method? I grow mainly for the sport, to beat my
personal best, so perhaps I am out of touch with the intentions of many
here. Competition is tons o' fun too but it's not my primary objective.
Isn't radiation and other potentially deadly means akin to an olympic
athlete on steroids? Has this sport already progressed to the point
where where there are those willing to risk their own well being just to
get a heavier pumpkin? Perspective, people. PERSPECTIVE!


> -----Original Message-----
> From:	jaussi [SMTP:sln8m@cc.usu.edu]
> Sent:	Thursday, February 19, 1998 3:56 PM
> To:	pumpkins@mallorn.com
> Subject:	(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
> ********************************************************
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