Ionizing radiation is being given increasing attention as a
method for preserving horticultural products. The article “The
Influence of Gamma-Irradiation on the Storage Life of Red Variety
Garlic” (J. Food Process. Preserv., 1983: 179-183) reports that 153
of 180 irradiated garlic bulbs were marketable (no external
sprouting, rotting, or softening) 240 days after treatment, whereas
only 119 of 180 untreated bulbs were marketable after this length
of time. We want to test whether ionizing radiation is beneficial
as far as...