Journal Article

GSI-2025-01129

http://join2-wiki.gsi.de/foswiki/pub/Main/Artwork/join2_logo100x88.png Radiation quality matters: morphological and biochemical responses of Brassica rapa microgreens to X-rays, C-ions, and Fe-ions

De Francesco, S. ; Amitrano, C. ; Vitale, E. ; Costanzo, G. ; Tinganelli, W.GSI* ; Pugliese, M. ; Arrichiello, C. ; Muto, P. ; Durante, M.GSI* ; De Pascale, S. ; Arena, C. (Corresponding author) ; De Micco, V. (Corresponding author)Extern*

2025
Springer Heidelberg

Please use a persistent id in citations: doi:10.1007/s00425-025-04835-6  doi:10.15120/GSI-2025-01129

Abstract: Radiation type and dose distinctly modulate microgreens development, revealing trait-specific thresholds where X-rays induce hormesis, carbon ions delay differentiation, and iron ions enhance biochemical balance with moderate anatomical disruption. As space exploration progresses and controlled-environment agriculture becomes increasingly relevant under extreme conditions, understanding how ionizing radiation affects plant development is crucial. Ionizing radiation poses a major constraint in space cultivation systems, also playing a role in terrestrial stress scenarios. Despite growing interest in radiation biology, few studies have systematically compared plant responses to different radiation types with distinct linear energy transfer (LET). In this study, seeds of Brassica rapa L. were exposed to increasing doses of X-rays (low-LET), carbon ions, and iron ions (high-LET). Seed germination, morpho-anatomical, and biochemical traits of plants were assessed up to the microgreens stage. Plant responses were both dose- and radiation-specific. Specifically, X-rays triggered a hormetic response at low doses (1 Gy), with a decline in several analyzed traits at higher doses. Carbon ions increased leaf expansion but reduced the content of pigments, proteins, and the structural investment, suggesting a delayed tissue differentiation and low-cost acclimation mechanism under stress. Iron ions promoted a coordinated upregulation of biochemical defenses and moderate anatomical changes. Overall, radiation quality induced distinct acclimation strategies in B. rapa, influencing the balance between growth, structural integrity, and defense mechanisms, highlighting its notable radioresistance. Moreover, identifying trait-specific thresholds and response patterns suggests that different radiation types could be selectively applied to modulate specific functions (e.g., biomass or antioxidants promotion, anatomical adjustments) based on desired outcomes. These findings provide valuable insights into how different ionizing radiation types impact plant responses, addressing a critical gap in space-oriented research and guiding strategies to optimize plant growth in extraterrestrial environments.

Keyword(s): Brassica rapa: radiation effects (MeSH) ; Brassica rapa: growth & development (MeSH) ; Brassica rapa: anatomy & histology (MeSH) ; Brassica rapa: physiology (MeSH) ; Brassica rapa: metabolism (MeSH) ; Iron (MeSH) ; X-Rays (MeSH) ; Carbon (MeSH) ; Germination: radiation effects (MeSH) ; Plant Leaves: radiation effects (MeSH) ; Plant Leaves: growth & development (MeSH) ; Plant Leaves: anatomy & histology (MeSH) ; Seeds: radiation effects (MeSH) ; Seeds: growth & development (MeSH) ; Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation (MeSH) ; Hormesis: radiation effects (MeSH) ; Linear Energy Transfer (MeSH) ; Extreme environments ; Ionizing radiation ; Leaf traits ; Phytochemical countermeasures ; Radiobiology ; Stress response ; Iron ; Carbon

Note: This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License

---

Contributing Institute(s):

1. Biophysik (BIO)

Research Program(s):

1. 633 - Life Sciences – Building Blocks of Life: Structure and Function (POF4-633) (POF4-633)
2. FAIR Phase-0 - FAIR Phase-0 Research Program (GSI-FAIR-Phase-0) (GSI-FAIR-Phase-0)
3. SUC-GSI-Darmstadt - Strategic university cooperation GSI-TU Darmstadt (SUC-GSI-DA) (SUC-GSI-DA)

Experiment(s):

1. SBio08_DeMicco: Assessing radiosensitivity of higher plants and mechanisms for radioresistance at different phenological stages (RadioPlant) (POF3-315; HTM)

Appears in the scientific report 2025

---

Database coverage:
; ; ; BIOSIS Previews ; Biological Abstracts ; Clarivate Analytics Master Journal List ; Current Contents - Agriculture, Biology and Environmental Sciences ; Current Contents - Life Sciences ; DEAL Springer ; Essential Science Indicators ; IF < 5 ; JCR ; National-Konsortium ; SCOPUS ; Science Citation Index Expanded ; Web of Science Core Collection

---