Observations on the structural changes of embryos of Paeonia rockii L. by low-energy ion irradiation

The mechanism of interaction between low energy ions and biological organisms has been paid much attention recently. In order to clarify the microstructural response to low energy ion irradiation embryonic cells of Paeonia rockii L. implanted by $Fe^{1+}$ ions with the energy of 80KeV were investigated by Optical Microscopy (OM), Scanning electron Microscopy(SEM) and Transmission Electron Microscopy(TEM). At the dose of 1$\times$1015 ions/$\textrm{cm}^2$, apparent cellular damage was observed in the outer several layers of the radicle. The shape of the cells was obviously deformed from regular polygon to irregular. The cell walls became obscure. SEM micrographs showed that the surface of the radicle was etched severely. It was observed by TEM that nucleus of the implanted cell was elongated and tended to fracture. Nuclear envelope lost its integrity. The implanted $Fe^{1+}$ ions were detected by Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS). These observations showed that low energy ions could damage to the plant organisms with the thickness of about 30~50$\mu\textrm{m}$. The possible reasons for radiation damage in the biological organisms were discussed.