The application of nuclear technology in biological research irradiation and agricultural seed improvement technology

abstract

With the continuous development of nuclear technology, its application in biological research and agricultural seed improvement is becoming increasingly widespread. Nuclear technology, through methods such as radiation mutagenesis and isotope tracing, not only promotes the deepening of agricultural scientific research, but also significantly improves crop yield and quality, providing strong support for sustainable agricultural development. This article reviews the current application status of nuclear technology in biological research irradiation and agricultural seed improvement technology, and explores its basic principles, main achievements, and future development trends.


Introduction

Nuclear technology is a high-tech field based on nuclear physics and radiochemistry, with applications covering multiple fields such as industry, agriculture, and medicine. In the field of agriculture, nuclear technology mainly provides innovative ways to solve agricultural scientific problems, improve crop yield and quality through radiation induced breeding, agricultural product irradiation processing, and agricultural isotope tracing.

2. The application of nuclear technology in biological research irradiation

2.1 Radiation induced breeding

Radiation induced mutation breeding is a technology that uses ionizing radiation (such as gamma rays, X-rays, etc.) to treat organisms, induce genetic material mutations, and obtain new traits or varieties. This technology has the advantages of high mutation frequency, wide mutation spectrum, and short breeding cycle. Through radiation mutagenesis, scientists have successfully cultivated various excellent crop varieties, such as "Ningqi 1" goji berries and rice with higher insect and disease resistance

2.2 Insect radiation infertility technology

Insect radiation infertility technology is a technique that uses radiation to treat male pests, causing them to lose their ability to reproduce. This technology can not only effectively control the population of pests, but also reduce pollution and damage to the environment. In recent years, China has made significant achievements in the research on infertility of pests such as radiation flies and Aedes albopictus, providing new ideas and methods for pest control

3. Application of nuclear technology in agricultural seed improvement technology

3.1 Radiation processing of agricultural products

Radiation processing of agricultural products is a technology that uses ionizing radiation to treat agricultural products, in order to achieve preservation and storage effects such as inhibiting germination, delaying ripening, insecticidal, sterilization and disinfection, and degrading harmful substances. This technology has the advantages of safety, efficiency, and environmental protection, which can significantly extend the shelf life of agricultural products and improve food safety. At present, 42 countries worldwide have approved the irradiation application of 538 agricultural products and food, and significant achievements have been made in ensuring food safety and quarantine treatment through irradiation


3.2 Agricultural isotope tracing

Agricultural isotope tracing technology uses isotope tracers to study the migration, transformation, transportation, absorption, and metabolism patterns of tracked substances in plants or animals and their surrounding environments. This technology has advantages such as high sensitivity, discriminability, and traceability, and has important application value in pesticide residue monitoring, soil pollution assessment, and other aspects. In recent years, China has made significant progress in the research and application of isotope tracing technology, providing strong support for agricultural ecological environment protection and agricultural product quality and safety

4. Case analysis

4.1 Bangladesh "Bindan 7" fast maturing mutant rice variety

Farmers in northern Bangladesh have significantly improved rice yield and planting efficiency by using the fast maturing mutant rice variety "Bindan 7". This rice variety ripens 30 days earlier than ordinary rice, allowing farmers to plant more crops and vegetables within the same season, effectively alleviating seasonal famine problems.

4.2 Small scale irrigation plans for farmers in Marseille, Kenya

Kenyan farmers in Marseille have doubled vegetable yields and significantly saved water resources by using nuclear technology to plan small-scale irrigation systems. This plan not only improves agricultural production efficiency, but also promotes the sustainable use of local water resources


5. Conclusion and Outlook

The application prospects of nuclear technology in biological research irradiation and agricultural seed improvement technology are broad. Through continuous in-depth research and technological innovation, nuclear technology will play a more important role in improving crop yield and quality, ensuring food safety, and protecting the ecological environment. In the future, we should further strengthen the promotion and application of nuclear technology in the agricultural field, as well as scientific research cooperation, to promote the continuous progress and sustainable development of agricultural science and technology.