“Nuclear Technology for Agriculture – Way forward”
Posted on April 25th, 2012
The Media TeamƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Ministry of Power & Energy
A seminar jointly organized by the Atomic Energy Authority and Department of Agriculture will be held at the Plant Genetic Resource Centre, Gannoruwa, Peradeniya on April 26th and 27th with the participation of professionals in the Agricultural sector.
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ With the guidance and advices from Hon. Patali Champika Ranawaka, Chairman Dr. Ranjith Wijewardhana and senior officials of Atomic Energy Authority ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ organized this two daysƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ seminar program. Minister of Agriculture Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena will be the chief guest .
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Nuclear Techniques are used in many countries for Agricultural development such as optimizing fertilizer and water use efficiency , biological nitrogen fixation, breeding ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ varieties of high performance, well adapted and diseaseƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ resistant agricultural and horticultural crop varieties using radiation induced mutations.
Nuclear techniques are also used to eradicate or control insect pests using insects that have been radiation sterilized or genetically altered.
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ In the field of Animal Science Nuclear techniques are used to improve reproductive performance of animals, their nutritional status and health.
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ PostƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢¢”š¬…”harvest losses can also be reduced by suppressing sprouting with the assistance of radiation treatment.
Food borne diseases can also be reduced and ways and means of pollution from pesticides can be studied.
The Atomic Energy Authority and the Department of Agriculture wish to establish a centre to carry out the above processes with the assistance of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and food and Agricultural Organization (FAO).
April 26th, 2012 at 7:15 am
Using radiation to create new varities of plant spcies with many different attributes are common thing. Many if the commercialized planrs are those.
Now, they use Molecualr biology and Genetic engineering to create new species and that is why there is some concern because some plants species have bred with weeds and, look like, may cause problems in the future due to the herbicide resisitance.