Chernobyl Radionuclide Accident. Effects on the Shoot Structure of Pinus sylvestris

1991

4 Abb., 2 Tab., 6 Lit. Ang.

Unselbständiges Werk

4570

200048381

In September 1988 a survey was made of pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) stands which had been subjected to a radionuclide discharge in April 1986 in the disaster area of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant. For the first time abnormal one-member brachyblasts with cylindrical needles were found, most often in the stands where nearly all young shoots and buds had died in 1986. The next year, the shoots had auxiblasts measuring about 5 cm as against the normal ca. 24 cm. The length of the needles was about 120 mm (maximum 260 mm), in contrast to the normal length of about 70 mm. The overdevelopment of needles and the increase in the number of shoots growing in bunches were interpreted as manifestations of the redistribution of reserve nutritive substances and changes in the natural hormonal balance connected with the loss of a considerable number of shoot apical meristems, adventive and dormant buds. This also explained the delay of 2-3 years in the shedding of needles in comparison with the control samples.