Evening star., 1954-01-13
Atomic Group Sponsors
Plant Blood Research
Brookhuven Rudiutions
Produce AbnormuIities
By Thomos R. Henry

Plants have red blood.
It plays an extremely important part
in the economy of nature.
These facts were revealed at a sym
postum Of abnormal and pathological
plant growth at the Brookhaven, L. l.,
laboratory of the Atomic Energy Com
mission, where the effects Of radiations
on plants are being investigated in an
extensive experiment.
The most important way in which es-
sential nitrogen from the air is fixed in
the soil Is through group of bacteria,
the rhizobia, which form nodules on
the roots of leguminous plants, such as
alfalfa.
The more such nodules are formed
the more valuable Is the legume as a
bacteria fixer. The radiations to which
plants are subjected in the experimental
field at Brookhaven produce abnormali-
ties of many kinds, usually undesirable,
but decided advantage would be OBJ
tanned If more nodules could be formed.
Four Pigments Found.
Within zone of such a nodule, it is
explained by DR.. o. N. Allen of the
University Of Wisconsin. four we'll
defined pigments are found. The first
is leghemoglobin, red pigment nearly
indistinguishable from the red pigment
hemoglobin of human blood by means
of which oxygen is carried throughout
the body. Its function in the plant.
here reported for the first time, is un-
known. Neither the plants nor the bac-
terra produce the pigment indepen-
h,rf ,Sr,I,o hot
together. Apparently. the pigment has
some extremely vital function in the
nitrogen flxation process which Is one
Of the cornerstones Of all plant life.
The other pigments found in the
nodule are legchologlobin, which Is
green; and legmethemoglobin and cop
roporphyrin. both of which are brown.
These last three are considered break
down products of the first. When the
color Of the zone Of mingled bacteria
and plant substance changes from red
to green the nodule Is believed to be
approaching senility. Some may per-
sist as long as six years. Others serve
only a single season. The nodules. 1t
is believed, are abnormal plant growths
of somewhat the same nature as those
produced by radiation.
Much research has been devoted to
encouraging their growth with various
chemical substances. About $4 million
annually is being spent on the work
and II companies are engaged In the
field.
No Success Yet.
No success is reported thus far from
radiation treatment. but this is one OF
the goals toward which the Brook
haven workers are striving.
Radiation, it is said, has not yet pro-
duced any kind of abnormal plant
growth which is not known to occur in
nature. It does, however, increase tre-
mendously the number and severity OF
such alterations.
Various types and intensities used at
Brookhaven bring about responses that
range from death or complete stoppage
of plant growth to all sorts Of growth
peculiarities, such as bushy outgrowths,
dwarf1ng and twisting of stems. Cut
tings from the affected plants, how
ever, produce normal plants. showing
that the effect has not extended to the
genetic characters.
Irradiations of leaves with X-rays,
radium and the radiumlike emana-
tions of radioactive cobalt all produced
dwarflng, changes in form and texture,
thickening, puckering, curling, failure
to develop. and uneven distribution OF
chlorophyll, the green pigment OF
foliage.