Effect of 60Co- Irradiation on Physiological Properties of Panax notoginseng Seedlings

The fresh seeds of Panax notoginseng were treated by 60Co- ray irradiation of 0~160 Gy,and then planted in the field. The optimum irradiation dose of P. notoginseng seeds was 54 Gy.The MDA content, soluble sugar content, amino acid content, soluble proteins content and activity of superoxide dismutase were tested to investigate the effect of different radiation doses on the physiological indexes, which could provide good foundation for P. notoginseng radiation breeding. The results showed that with irradiation dose increasing, the MDA content increased; the soluble sugar content, amino acid content, soluble proteins content, activity of superoxide dismutase firstly decreased, then increased and reached the peak at the doses of 20 Gy or 10 Gy.It is suggested that the fresh seeds of P. notoginseng have a tolerance for 60Co- ray irradiation of lower level.