[The cytogenetic effect in the seeds from natural Crespis tectorum populations in long-term storage subjected to chronic irradiation as a result of the radioactive pollution in a 30-kilometer area of the accident at the Chernobyl Atomic Electric Power Station].

Seeds of the 1st and 3d Crepis tectorum natural populations subjected to chronic irradiation during 4 months in 1986 within 30 km zone of Chernobyl accident were stored for 5 years in laboratory. For this period germination capacity of 1st population seeds decreased but the seeds retained a germination capacity up to 1992 were characterized by the increased germination rate. The germination capacity and the germination rate of 3d population seeds did not change. The frequency of metaphases with chromosome aberrations in the first mitotic cycle of root tip meristematic cells of seedlings increased after 5 year storage: from 9.1 +/- 0.44 to 13.0 +/- 0.57% in 1st population and from 2.6 +/- 0.27 to 3.8 +/- 0.38% in 3d population.