Ion Beam as a Noble Tool to Induce Apoptosis-Like Cell Death in Roots of Maize (Zea mays L.)

Abstract

Maize seedlings were irradiated with ²⁰Ne⁸⁺ generated by the AVF cyclotron. The growth suppression at the different dosages of ion beam was observed in both root and coleoptile. DNA laddering was also observed at the dosage over 100Gy. In addition, abnormal morphological changes including chromatin condensation, typical of apoptosis in animal cells, were noted by light and electron microscopy. Our results indicate that the ion beam can serve as an effective tool to induce apoptosis-like cell death in plant cells.