Effects of exposing pepper seeds to /sup 60/Co gamma rays prior to sowing

It has been established in the literature that low doses of ionizing radiation have a beneficial effect on the plant organism: energy of seed sprouting increases, growth and development of plants are stimulated, fruit ripens faster, the harvest increases, and the quality of products is improved. We have demonstrated a high stimulating effect, according to several parameters, in tomatoes and eggplant. Since no studies had been conducted in this direction on such an important vegetable as the pepper, we decided to investigate the reaction of this plant to ionizing radiation, used to induce earlier ripening and a higher yield.