Mutagenic effects of low energy ions on root tip cells of tomato (Lycopersicum esculentum)

Low energy ion has been successfully applied to crop breeding, but there are few studies on application of ion beam in tomato breeding. In this research, effects of ion beam on root tip cells of tomato were studied. We found that nitrogen ion (N+) or argon ion (Ar+) had obvious influences on cell mitosis and chromosome structure, and lead to various types of chromosome aberration. When dose of ion beam increased within the scope of 1-4 1017 ions cm-2, the index of cell mitosis declined and rate of chromosome aberration increased, and various types of chromosome aberration occurred in the same cell when dose of ion beam was high. In addition, compared to the same dose of Ar+ ion, the index of cell mitosis was lower and rate of chromosome aberration was higher as implanted with N+ ion, suggesting N+ ion had greater influence on cell mitosis and chromosome structure. Taken together, cell aberration could be induced by N+ or Ar+ ion, and genetic material of tomato might be damaged, therefore low energy ion is potential to be as mutagenic agent in breeding and improvement of tomato.