The application of nuclear technology in agricultural seed improvement technology is multifaceted, mainly achieved through methods such as radiation mutagenesis and isotope tracing. The following is a detailed explanation of the application of nuclear technology in agricultural seed improvement technology:

1、 Nuclear irradiation technology

Nuclear irradiation technology is a method of improving crop seeds using radiation. By irradiating seeds, their DNA can undergo mutations, which may lead to the production of new varieties with excellent traits. This method has significant effects in increasing crop yield, improving crop quality, and enhancing crop stress resistance. For example, nuclear irradiation technology can be used to cultivate new crop varieties with characteristics such as disease and pest resistance, drought resistance, and salt alkali resistance.


2、 Isotope tracing technology

Isotope tracing technology is a technique that uses radioactive isotope labeled substances to study the nutrient absorption, transport, and transformation processes of crops by detecting the distribution and migration of labeled substances in crops. In seed improvement, isotope tracing technology can help researchers understand the efficiency of crop nutrient absorption and utilization, thereby optimizing fertilization plans, improving fertilization efficiency, reducing resource waste and environmental pollution. Meanwhile, this technology can also be used to study the absorption and utilization of water by crops, providing scientific basis for water-saving agriculture.

3、 Nuclide labeling technology

Nuclide labeling technology is a technique that uses radioactive isotopes to label feed or drugs, and studies the digestion, metabolism, and drug utilization of animal feed by measuring the distribution and metabolism of labeled isotopes in the animal body. Although this technology is mainly applied in animal husbandry, nuclide labeling technology can also provide strong support for research on the interaction between crops and microorganisms, as well as the absorption and utilization of soil nutrients by crops in agricultural seed improvement.


4、 Nuclear fertilizer

Nuclear fertilizer is a type of fertilizer that uses radioactive isotopes to label nitrogen or phosphorus fertilizers. By measuring the distribution of labeled isotopes within crops, the absorption and utilization efficiency of fertilizers by crops can be studied. This type of fertilizer can help farmers apply fertilizers scientifically, improve the utilization rate of nitrogen or phosphorus fertilizers, reduce fertilizer waste and environmental pollution. Although nuclear fertilizer itself is not directly used for seed improvement, it indirectly promotes crop growth and development by optimizing the fertilization scheme, providing a good growth environment for seed improvement.

5、 Nuclear Medical Imaging Technology

Although nuclear medical imaging technology is mainly used in the medical field, it can also provide reference and guidance in certain aspects of agricultural seed improvement, such as studying crop organ function and disease diagnosis. For example, understanding the functional status of crop organs and the mechanisms of disease occurrence can provide scientific basis for crop breeding and pest control.

6、 Practical application cases

Crop yield improvement: A plan in Benin, for example, increased corn yield by 50% and reduced fertilizer use by 70% by adopting nitrogen fixation technology.

Enhanced disease resistance: Many countries use nuclear technology to prevent and control cross-border animal diseases, such as Cameroon, which has improved the disease resistance of Bose beef and Bok golden cattle through hybrid breeding.


Resource conservation: Kenyan farmers in Marseille use nuclear technology to plan small-scale irrigation systems, achieving water conservation while doubling vegetable yields.
In summary, the application of nuclear technology in agricultural seed improvement technology has broad prospects and important practical significance. By continuously optimizing and improving the application methods and technological means of nuclear technology in the agricultural field, it can further promote the sustainable development of agricultural production and ensure national food security.