The effects of X-rays in the range of diagnostic levels on the growth rate of pistachio seedlings

Ali Mehdipour (PhD)^1,2, Naeimeh Ghasemi (BSc)³, Narges Esmailzadeh (MSc)³, Aaliyeh Ebrahimi (BSc)³, Ali Taghavi (BSc)³

¹ Radiology and medical physics department, faculty of paramedicine, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran

² Faculty of health and life sciences, INTI University, Persiaran Perdana BBN, 7800, Nilai, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia

³ Radiology student, Radiology and medical physics department, faculty of paramedicine, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran

Received: 08.02.2023  Accepted: 17.04.2023

Abstract

Background: The objective of this research was to assess the impact of low doses of diagnostic X-rays on the growth rate of pistachio seedlings.

Material and methods: Before cultivation, pistachio seeds underwent a soaking process in tap water for two days, which was succeeded by an additional five days of being wrapped in a damp cloth. Fifteen days into the cultivation process, the newly sprouted plants were subjected to X-ray irradiation. The plants received X-ray doses of 80 kVp and 80 mAs, with a distance of 100 cm maintained between the source and the seedlings, over a series of consecutive days. On the thirtieth day, the plants were extracted from the soil, and measurements were taken for stem length, stem diameter, root length, leaf count, and overall plant weight.

Results: The root lengths in the thrice irradiated group and the control group were recorded as 3.71 ± 3.14 cm and 2.96 ± 2.53 cm, respectively. The observed difference was not statistically significant (P < 0.186). Additionally, other parameters measured, such as stem length, stem diameter, number of leaves, and plant weight in the irradiated groups, exhibited variations when compared to the control group; however, these differences also did not reach statistical significance.

Conclusion: The findings suggest that diagnostic doses of X-rays, which involve very low energy levels, may influence the growth of pistachio plants. However, these purported biopositive effects are not particularly pronounced or significant. Nonetheless, the existing data appear insufficient, indicating that additional research is necessary to explore the potential hormetic mechanisms associated with these diagnostic energy levels.

►Please cite this article as follows:

Mehdipour A, Ghasemi N, Esmailzadeh N, Ebrahimi A, Taghavi A. The effects of X-rays in the range of diagnostic levels on the growth rate of pistachio seedlings. Pistachio and Health Journal. 2023;6(3-4):13-21.