The project utilised radioisotopes and stable isotopes to track and measure the uptake and utilisation of water and nutrients by crops. This allowed researchers to optimise fertiliser and water management strategies, leading to significant reductions in their use. By using isotopic tracers, scientists could precisely determine how efficiently plants were using resources, providing valuable data for developing more sustainable agricultural practices. The project demonstrated that combining radiation-induced mutation breeding with isotopic tracing of water and nutrient uptake resulted in crop yield increases exceeding 30% and resource savings of 25-30% across various crops like rice, sorghum, soybean, and wheat. The successful implementation of these nuclear techniques provides a robust pathway for enhancing global food security and promoting sustainable agriculture.
