Nuclear Chemist Interview Question:

Tell me the use of radioisotopes in agriculture?

Submitted by: Muhammad

Radioisotopes have been used to determine the requirement of different elements in the plant. Some of these applications are as follows:

☛ a. Use of fertilizers: By the help of tracer Ca45 it has been found that the uptake of calcium by the plants in acidic soil is same for CaO and CaCO3 but is less for CaSO4. P32 is used to determine the rate of the uptake of phosphorous in the plants. Due to this technique it is found that it is good to add phosphorous fertilizer to the plants during its sowing period. During this period the uptake is more than 60% but if the fertilizer is added at the later stage then the uptake is only 35%.

☛ b. Irradiation of seeds: With the help of radioisotopes people have speed up the development of the plants. They have also increased the yield and quality of the crops. Exposing of seeds to the γ radiations are beneficial for the growth of the plant.

☛ c. Control of insects: Radioisotopes have also been used to gain information about the migration and breeding habits of predatory insects. This is done by the help of Phosphorous or Cobalt. Generally the insects are labelled with P32 or Co60. In order to label them with Co60 the insects are dipped in cobalt chloride solution where the cobalt is labelled as Co60. Each insect absorbs a radiation dose of 300 rads and this lasts for 6-8 months. Then the counting device is used to follow the migration and location of labelled insects. Now with the help of insecticide the predators are destroyed.
Submitted by: Muhammad