[Effects of HE particles on medicinal plant Agastache rugosus (Fisch. et Mey.) O. Ktze].

The biological effect of HE particles on the seeds of Agastache rugosus was probed in experiments on board a retrievable satellite. The result shows that the germination rate of the seeds pierced by HE particles radiation appears rather low. The seeds hit by HE particles (piercing radiation or not) start to germinate two days earlier than those in the control group, and the first leaf emerges four to five days earlier than that in the control group. The resultant seedlings grow markedly faster. Variations take place in the nuclear types of chromosome. The yield of essential oils becomes slightly higher. No marked changes have been observed in the major chemical components of these oils.