Sensitivity of Lavender to Proton, Electron, and Gamma Radiation

While ion beams are widely used in plant breeding, little is known about the sensitivity of Lavandula angustifolia (lavender) to ionizing radiation. To compare the biological effects of different types of ionizing radiation on the germination and survival rates of lavender, we exposed lavender seeds to gamma rays, 3 MeV electron beams, and 1.89 MeV proton ion beams. We observed that the seed germination rate decreased with increasing dosages of all three types of ionizing radiation. The malformation rate of lavender seedlings exposed to electron beams and gamma rays increased with increasing radiation dosage. By contrast, the effect of the accelerated proton beams on the malformation rate was negatively correlated with the dosage used. The survival rate of lavender seedlings exposed to the three types of ionizing radiation decreased in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, the survival rate of seedlings irradiated with proton and electron beams decreased more slowly than did that of seedlings irradiated with gamma rays. The half-lethal dose of gamma rays, electron beams, and proton beams was determined to be 48.1 Gy, 134.3 Gy, and 277.8 Gy, respectively, and the most suitable proton-ion energy for lavender seeds in terms of penetration depth was determined to be 5 MeV. These findings provide valuable information for the breeding of lavender by radiation mutation.