Share The Seeds

Gardening Area => Advanced Cultivation Techniques => Topic started by: ONandONandON on April 20, 2021, 11:29:06 PM

Title: atomic gardening radiated seeds for mutation
Post by: ONandONandON on April 20, 2021, 11:29:06 PM

this is posted somewhere, but i'm bringing it back  8)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atomic_gardening

i found irradiated seed packets experiment for sale,

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Irradiated-Seed-Set-Radish-5-Packs-of-50/812469713
"Seed that have been exposed to a Cobalt-60 source are used to demonstrate the effects of varying degrees of radiation. Squash preparations of root tips show distinct disturbances of the normal mitotic pattern. Somatic changes brought on by irradiation are often clearly visible a short time after germination begins. The set contains an untreated control packet and packet of seed exposed to various levels of radiation (50; 150; 500; 4,000 Krads)."

but i'd like to make my own irradiated seeds thank you.. Any ideas for radiation sources?

im not sure it's legal to possess cobalt60 like they used,
but there are sterilization companies who use cobalt 60,
maybe send them a package of seeds to be irradiated...
https://www.nordion.com/products/irradiation-systems/
https://starfishmedical.com/blog/gamma-irradiation-sterilization/
https://sterigenics.com/technologies/gamma-irradiation/
https://www.steris-ast.com/services/gamma-irradiation/

Title: Re: atomic gardening radiated seeds for mutation
Post by: valec on April 22, 2021, 01:36:05 AM

I would expect that everything going through a sterilization cobalt source be completely dead. I know someone working in such a company, will ask an opinion.

Title: Re: atomic gardening radiated seeds for mutation
Post by: ONandONandON on April 22, 2021, 08:09:43 PM

it depends on the amount of exposure time and distance to source.
"exposed to various levels of radiation (50; 150; 500; 4,000 Krads)"

Title: Re: atomic gardening radiated seeds for mutation
Post by: Rainbowslug on May 09, 2021, 06:30:40 PM

I think you could buy an old X-ray generator, which can be switched on and off instead of continuously emit radiation, however I have no idea how much radiation you'd give to get the desired results.

Title: Re: atomic gardening radiated seeds for mutation
Post by: ONandONandON on May 25, 2021, 02:11:47 AM

yep xrays seem too be the most available option..
one could measure exposure to seeds with a radiation detector ~70$
xrays can be created simply by passing a high voltage threw a vacuum chamber like a lightbulb..
xrays from lightbulb utube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J8P_UQELlKg)
Also need something like lead sheets, or water jug containers to block the xrays from hitting you.

Title: Re: atomic gardening radiated seeds for mutation
Post by: Panoramix on February 16, 2022, 10:47:21 PM

Maybe using the americanium 241 cartridge found in the cheap smoke detectors? Those are alpha rays but if the seeds are close enough maybe they can mutate it
.

Title: Re: atomic gardening radiated seeds for mutation
Post by: modern on February 16, 2022, 11:32:12 PM

Strong sunlight alone on seedlings freshly germinated can also cause mutations. The mutation rate isn't the highest though... other things that can be done are freezing conditions for seedlings 5min or so and just general abuse like drought as very young seedling.