Abstract:Effects of γ irradiation on the structure of the embryonic bud in chestnut seed were investigated by using electronic transmittance microscope.The results indicated that γ irradiation had great effects on the starch granules in the embryo of chestnut.No significant effects were found under the irradiation dose of 0 5kGy;the outside of starch granule began to gelatinize at 1kGy treatment,while significant gelatinization happened with the dose higher than 6kGy.Correspondingly,the viscosity of the wholemeal flour of the chestnut seeds decreased with the increase dose of irradiation.It was also found the thickness of the cell wall in the embryonic bud became thinner with the irradiation.