In biological experiments the ionizing radiation is usually defined by the type, energy and total absorbed dose, as well as by the dose rate. If radiation generated by a physical particle accelerator is employed, we consider it necessary to supplement these data with the value for frequency of pulses of the ionizing radiation jet. As follows from our experiments, this parameter expressively affects the relative biological effect of ionizing radiation.

The two final products of radiolytic degradation of cytosinei.e. parabanic and oxaluric acids were investigated as regards their cytogenetic effects. Broad bean (Vicia faba L.) root meristem was used as experimental material. While the oxaluric acid was not able to induce chromosomal aberrations to a greater extent, the parabanic acid acts as a clastogenic compound. When applied on a resting broad bean root meristem at concentration from 10-3 to 10-2 M it induces chromosome and chromatid aberrations, especially breakages. Their frequency reaches 9–12% at the highest tested concentration. The same concentrations of the parabanic acid increases mitotic index of the first cell generation of primary root.

The frequency of nucleus and cell division in prothallia ofEquisetum arvense L. grown under aseptic, defined conditions shows a considerable stabillity in the course of long-term experiments. This stability can be impaired if germinating spores are afflicted in the period 50 ±5 h after sowing by the just occurring Forbush effect in the period of decreasing intensity of cosmic radiation but not in the period of its repeated increase.

The cytogenetic effect of two radiolytic cytosine products, i.e. of isobarbituric acid and of dialuric acid has been studied on a system of resting meristem ofVicia faba L. on chromosomal level. Both compounds produced in a concentration 10-3 and 10-4 M chromosomal aberrations with a relatively low frequency, about 4 aberrations per 100 anaphases after 12 h of treatment. Among the aberration types chromosomal and chromatid breaks and minutes pre-dominated.

The experiments showed that after gamma irradiation as well as after irradiation by secondary cosmic rays (hard component)Equisetum arvense spores produce in the first developmental phases prothalia at a changed rate,i.e. in favour of the females. This effect being specific for radiation cannot be produced by heat, pressure or changes of electric and magnetic field (i.e. factors appearing in higher sea levels with a stronger intensity of cosmic rays). It will be possible to apply the sensitivity of the mentioned method for investigating the problems of testing cosmic ray variations. The possibility of its application in spontaneous variability research is not less important.

V rámci ŠirŠího studia problematiky spontánní mutability a účinků kosmickùho záření bylo nutno vyjit z fysikálního hlediska z nulových hodnot. Těch bylo prakticky dosaženo v hloubce 1340 m pod zemí SpóryEquisetum arvense, E. silvaticum aE. palustre na tomto stanoviŠti a na povrchu země (250 m n. m.) byly testovány na výskyt abnormálního dělení plastidů v buňkách prothalií Výsledky ukázaly signifikantně nižší procento prothalií s abnormálními plastidy na lokalitě pod zemí — v místech bez sekundárního kosmickùho záření — ve srovnání s exposicí na povrchu země. Hodnota klíčivosti spór zůstala naproti tomu na obou lokalitách v rámci normální variability.