Study of M_(1) Mutagenic Effects of Heavy Ion Irradiation on Maize Seeds

In order to study M_(1) biological effects of heavy ion irradiation on maize seeds, the embryos of dry maize seeds are irradiated with~(7)Li ions and~(12)C ions as well as ~( 60)Co gamma rays. The results are as follows: ~( 60)Co gamma rays decrease germination impetus and germination rate of maize seeds, while the inhibitory effects of germination impetus and germination rate induced by the heavy ions~(7)Li and~(12)C are not significant. The difference of photosynthetic rates among the plants irradiated with~(7)Li ions and~(12)C ions becomes larger. The changes in the male fertility, the color of leaf and the height of plant are also presented. By means of random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) method, the results show that the bands of the large seedling of the twin seedlings are different from that of the small one, and there are different bands compared with their parents, inbred line 478.The above results show the twin seedlings may be a new variety of inbred line 478 in the molecular levels.