Summary Seeds treated with and grown in the presence of ascorbic acid (AA) showed reduction in germination, seedling height and chlorophyll content, The LD50 of AA was found to be 0.7 M and 1.0 M tor wheat and maize, respectively. Pre-irradiation treatment of the seeds with ascorbic acid showed relatively increased germination, seedling height and chlorophyll content compared to that of AA treatment after irradiation. The protection rendered by the pre-treatment of AA may be due to AA acting as a free radical scavenger and thus protecting seeds from radiation induced damages.
