Effects of low-dose irradiation on two plant models: Stipa capillata and Pisum sativum

Plants are useful models for assessing the effects of radiation. We describe a short synthesis of our more recent results: radio-induced oxidative stress – our data suggest in chronically irradiated seeds of Stipa capillata a natural selection of the most adapted genotypes characterised by the capacity of induction of enzymes involved in the defence against radioactive stress; growth, development, genomic instability – a decrease of growth, number of pods, mean number of normally developed seeds per pod is observed in non irradiated plants (Pisum sativum) issued from irradiated parents; dose-effect curve at low doses – in Pisum sativum root tip meristem, the dose effect curve for chromosome aberrations is found to be supralinear for very low doses. These findings fit with what has been described in animals and fully justify the use of plant models to assess the biological effects of low doses of irradiation in living species.