To: North American Fruit Explorers <nafex@lists.ibiblio.org>
Subject: Re: [NAFEX] mutating trifoliate
Date: Wed, 03 Mar 2004 18:01:17 -0800
Title: Re: [NAFEX] mutating trifoliate
Microwave isn't effective as a mutagen. It generates heat in the cells and kills them rather than causing mutations in the chromosomes. You either need a radiation source or a chemical mutagen. The latter can be more effective, but I really don't recommend them, since the best ones are also sure-fire cancer causers if you get them on you.
-Lon Rombough
Very interesting, i hadn't thought of inducing mutation. A few articles
have talked about microwaving seeds on low power which causes them to
grow faster supposedly. Could microwaving cause mutation?