The half-embryo test was applied to irradiated apples and cherries. The optimum incubation temperature for apples and cherries was 30 degrees C and 25 degrees C, respectively. Benzyladenine stimulated the shooting of cherry half-embryos, therefore, they were incubated with 10 mu M benzyladenine. The irradiation of apples and cherries caused obvious changes in the growth of the half-embryos. A dose of 0.15 kGy or more almost totally retarded shoot elongation. If shooting is less than 50%, the apples and cherries are identified as ''irradiated''. An assessment could be made after 1 to 4 days and the detection limit of the irradiation dose is 0.15 kGy.