[ RadSafe ] Atomic gardening

[Hansen, Richard (CONTR)]

The IAEA has information on the Soviet-era truck-mounted seed irradiators, with photos and drawings of these systems, including a photo of abandoned irradiators located and recovered in the former Soviet Union.

Apparently, the irradiation of seeds promoted early germination of the seeds, enhanced disease resistance of the seeds, increased crop yields, and delayed germination of the harvested grain.

IAEA Nuclear Security Series No. 5
Identification of Radioactive Sources and Devices, 2007 
http://www-ns.iaea.org/security/nuclear_security_series.asp


Page 16 
Seeds may be irradiated to promote early germination or enhance disease resistance.

Pages 38-41 SEED IRRADIATOR
These devices were mostly used in the former Soviet Union until the late
1970s for the irradiation of seeds to improve crop yields and delay the
germination of harvested grain. The irradiation device was mounted on a truck
with associated processing equipment. Such devices were supplied to agricultural
research laboratories and transported to different sites to perform the
irradiation work. They consist of a shielded container housing the radioactive
sources, with an entry and exit point to allow the seeds to pass through on a
continuous basis. The entry and exit points are labyrinth-like in order to
prevent radiation from shining out through them.

The source or sources are fully contained within the shielded chamber
and it is not generally possible to remove them without dismantling the device.
This can be done only within a dedicated shielded facility with specialized
equipment and trained personnel.

The devices were normally mounted on trucks in order to be mobile, but
seed irradiation is no longer done using these types of mobile devices. It is not
known how many of these devices were originally supplied; the records
indicate that there are relatively few which have been formally decommissioned.
It is considered that there may be many orphan devices. The irradiation
chambers and associated equipment may be dismounted from the trucks.

Sources
Typical source activity when new: up to 185 TBq (5 kCi) 137Cs.

Rick Hansen
Senior Scientist
CTOS - Center for Radiological/Nuclear Training at the Nevada National Security Site
National Security Technologies, LLC
Contractor to the United States Department of Energy
hansenrg at nv.doe.gov
www.ctosnnsa.org

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Date: Mon, 13 Jun 2011 08:53:53 -0700
From: "Brennan, Mike  (DOH)" <Mike.Brennan at DOH.WA.GOV>
Subject: Re: [ RadSafe ] Atomic gardening: Day of the irradiated
	peanuts

According to my reading, irradiating seeds (to certain levels that I
don't recall) does produce better germination rates, which lead to
better crop yields, not by creating mutations but by killing pathogens
in the form of bacterial and fungal spores on the seeds.  That is the
basis for irradiated fruit and vegetables lasting longer than the
control groups.  

-----Original Message-----
From: radsafe-bounces at health.phys.iit.edu
[mailto:radsafe-bounces at health.phys.iit.edu] On Behalf Of Harry Reynolds
Sent: Friday, June 10, 2011 12:47 PM
To: parthasarathy k s; The International RadiationProtection (Health
Physics) Mailing List; radsafe at agni.phys.iit.edu
Subject: Re: [ RadSafe ] Atomic gardening: Day of the irradiated peanuts

Somewhere in the long ago and far away I remember reports of China
irradiating seeds with the results producing better germination and crop
yield.

Harry`

-----Original Message-----
From: radsafe-bounces at health.phys.iit.edu
[mailto:radsafe-bounces at health.phys.iit.edu] On Behalf Of parthasarathy
k s
Sent: Friday, June 10, 2011 9:55 AM
To: The International Radiation Protection (Health Physics) Mailing
List; radsafe at agni.phys.iit.edu
Subject: Re: [ RadSafe ] Atomic gardening: Day of the irradiated peanuts

Dear Mr Dawson,

Thank you very much for the New Scientist essay describing, the history
of mutation breeding. This is one area where India made gigantic
strides. The following URL gives an idea about the developments in
mutation breeding, food irradiation and agricultural applications of
modern technology in India:
http://www.barc.ernet.in/rcaindia/4_1.html

Regards
Parthasarathy