Active oxygen generation in gamma-irradiated whole seedlings of Cicer arietinum L

Whole seedlings of Cicer arietinum L. when exposed to 819 Gy gamma-radiation, were found to emit ultraweak intensity luminescence. The phenomenon was oxygen-dependent, and the intensity of emission could be suppressed by post-irradiation treatment with catalase, superoxide dismutase, and ascorbic acid. Deuterium oxide and luminol amplified the emission intensity. These results suggest that singlet oxygen is a cause of the emission during the post-irradiation phase.