APPLICATION OF HALF-EMBRYO TEST TO IRRADIATED APPLES AND CHERRIES

The half-embryo test was applied to irradiated apples and cherries. Th e optimum incubation temperature for apples and cherries was 30 degree s C and 25 degrees C, respectively. Benzyladenine stimulated the shoot ing of cherry half-embryos, therefore, they were incubated with 10 mu M benzyladenine. The irradiation of apples and cherries caused obvious changes in the growth of the half-embryos. A dose of 0.15 kGy or more almost totally retarded shoot elongation. If shooting is less than 50 %, the apples and cherries are identified as ''irradiated''. An assess ment could be made after 1 to 4 days and the detection limit of the ir radiation dose is 0.15 kGy.