What is an application of nuclear chemistry in agriculture?

1 Answer

Agriculture uses nuclear chemistry and radioactive isotopes to:

• Develop varieties of hardier, more disease-resistant crops.

• Improve the nutritional value of crops.

• Pinpoint where illnesses strike animals, allowing the breeding of disease-resistant livestock.

• Show how plants absorb fertilizer, helping farmers to learn when to apply fertilizer and how much to use.

• Measure the amount of water in both plants and the surrounding soil.

• Control insect populations by sterilization of male insects.

• Develop effective vaccinations for certain animal diseases.

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