Fallout Radiation Effects on Livestock (Part A) and Food Crops (Part B).
Abstract
The primary hematological response in sheep and cattle exposed to the different components of fallout radiation was the drop in platelet and white cells from whole-body gamma exposure alone and in combination with skin and gastrointestinal exposures. Skin and gastrointestinal irradiation caused minor blood changes which appear to be insufficient in magnitude to account for the high mortality from the combined exposures. Data on surviving cattle show that skin and gastrointestinal irradiation severely reduced animal productivity. Swine are less sensitive to gastrointestinal fallout simulant alone and in combination with whole-body exposure in comparison with cattle and sheep. Varieties of corn (Zea mays L. 'WF-9 x 38-11' and 'Golden Bantam') and of soybean (Glycine max L. Merrill 'Kent' and 'Hill') were exposed to 60Co gamma radiation and grown to maturity under outdoor conditions. Corn was more sensitive to irradiation than soybeans and yield was more severely affected than survival and height. Exposures delivered at a high rate were more effective than the same exposures delivered at a low rate. Plants irradiated in early developmental stages were somewhat more tolerant than at later developmental stages; yield was more severely affected during the early reproductive stage. Varietal difference in radiosensitivity was greater in corn than in soybeans. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 30, 1971
- Accession Number
- AD0737726
Entities
People
- D. D. Killion
- J. L. West
- L. B. Sasser
- M. C. Bell
- M. J. Constantin