Radioisotopes used

in Agriculture
Researched By:
Mallika Sangster
Calthea Holness
Jamelia Brown
Quewanna Westcarth
Rihanna Laing Grandson
What is Radioisotopes?

When you hear the radioisotopes i bet you think of

radiation…..well you are quite correct.
Well hears a former definition for Radioisotopes
Definition
Radioisotopes is an unstable form of a
chemical element that releases radiation
as it breaks down and becomes more
stable
 Radioisotopes used in agriculture

In agriculture radioisotopes provide a means of determining how much of the

fertilizer is taken up by the plant and how much i lost to the environment.

Radioisotopes are used as a research tool to develop new strains of agricultural

crops that are drought disease resistant,are of higher quality, have shorter
growing time and produce a higher yield.

They are helpful in the study of optimum utilization of fertilizers,insecticides and

pesticides in cultivated crops without harmful effects to plans and other living
organisms.
 ● Radioisotopes are very useful in estimating the amount of phosphorus and nitrogen available
in the soil. This estimation helps in determining the amount of phosphate and nitrogen fertilizers
that should be applied to soil.

● Radioisotopes are used to kill pests and parasites but are also used to control the ripening of
fruits

Induced genetic mutation in a plant.

●
● Radio-isotopes are used to produce high-yield crop seeds to increase agricultural production globally.
The use of chemical fertilizers is very expensive; improper use will lead to a waste of money and
resources and may cause damage to the environment. Radioisotopes can be applied in a variety of ways
to resolve many problems in agricultural production and improve industry efficiency. These applications
are particularly important for resource-poor developing countries or regions where water is scarce as a
result of drought, and for protecting natural resources

● For example, radioisotopes and controlled radiation are used to improve food crops, preserve food,
determine ground- water resources, sterilize medical supplies, analyse hormones, X-ray pipelines,
control industrial processes and study environmental pollution.
Advantages Radioisotopes in Agriculture
Used to improve food crops

○ Preserve food.
○ Determine ground- water resources
○ Sterilize medical supplies.
○ Control industrial processes.
○ Study environmental pollution
Disadvantages Radioisotopes in Agriculture

• They can completely damage the stomata and

ultimately the plant is destroyed.