Description
X-ray-based imaging and spectroscopy are increasingly used to investigate the structure, elemental composition, and physiological processes of living plants. However, exposure to ionizing radiation can damage plant tissues and alter the biological processes being measured. The severity of these effects depends on factors including X-ray energy, photon flux, exposure duration, illuminated area, developmental stage, and tissue type. Understanding radiation-induced damage is essential for distinguishing genuine biological variation from experimental artifacts during in situ and repeated-measurement experiments, including plant-bacterial interactions, nanoparticle distribution, elemental transport or diffusion. Systematic evaluation of dose-dependent damage in plants can therefore support the development of safer experimental protocols, including reduced exposure times, optimized beam conditions, and improved experimental design. In this study, selected beam parameters (photon flux and incident energy) were systematically explored of model monocot plants (Brachypodium distachyon). The resulting effects on plant tissues were evaluated to identify exposure conditions associated with radiation-induced changes and to establish measurement strategies that minimize biological disruption. This approach aims to improve the reliability of X-ray-based plant analyses while preserving plant viability and physiological relevance.