Fire and ionizing radiation have parallel effects on survival of natural populations of Gaylussacia baccata and Vaccinium vacillans. Vaccinium is substantially more resistant to both. The differences in survival are due to differences in regenerative capacity; buds of Vaccinium are more resistant to damage, occur at greater depths in the soil, and are better protected from both radiation and heat. This pattern of radiation and fire resistance lends further support to the general observation that in plants radiation resistance is related to ecological hardiness.
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Brayton et al. (1966) studied this question.