Atoms in Agriculture

The Understanding the Atom Series

Nuclear energy is playing a vital role in the life of every man, woman, and child in the United States today. In the years ahead it will affect increasingly all the peoples of the earth. It is essential that all Americans gain an understanding of this vital force if they are to discharge thoughtfully their responsibilities as citizens and if they are to realize fully the myriad benefits that nuclear energy offers them.

The United States Atomic Energy Commission provides this booklet to help you achieve such understanding.

Edward J. Brunenkant, Director Division of Technical Information

UNITED STATES ATOMIC ENERGY COMMISSION

Dr. Glenn T. Seaborg, Chairman

James T. Ramey

Wilfrid E. Johnson

Dr. Theos J. Thompson

Dr. Clarence E. Larson

Atoms in Agriculture

by Thomas S. Osborne

CONTENTS

RESEARCH IN THE UNITED STATES 1

HOW ARE RADIOISOTOPES USED IN RESEARCH? 2

They May be Used as “Tracers” 2

How Effective Are Radioactive Tracers? 3

PLANT NUTRITION AND METABOLISM 4

What Happens to Fertilizer in the Soil? 4

Do Plants Absorb Through Roots Only? 4

Where Should Fertilizer be Placed? 5

Do Fertilizers Move Fast in Plants? 5

What Else Do Radioisotopes Tell Us? 5

PLANT DISEASES AND WEEDS 8

How Can We Combat Plant Diseases? 8

Why Do Chemicals Destroy Some Plants? 10

ANIMAL NUTRITION AND METABOLISM 11

How Nutritious Are Various Feedstuffs? 11

Can Lean Meat be Estimated “on the Hoof”? 12

Does Thyroid Affect Milk—Egg Production? 13

More Tracers in Animal Nutrition Research 13

INSECTS 15

Where and How Fast Do Insects Travel? 15

How Far Do Insects Carry Pollen? 15

Are Predators Used to Destroy Insects? 16

Can Tracers Measure Spray Residues? 17

RADIOISOTOPES AS RADIATION SOURCES 17

Can Radiation Produce New Plants? 18

Can Radiation Destroy Germs and Insects? 19

How Does Radiation Affect Farm Animals? 22

What Else Can Radiation Tell Us? 22

CONCLUSION 23

SUGGESTED REFERENCES 24

United States Atomic Energy Commission
Division of Technical Information
Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 64-60274
1962; 1963(Rev.)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Thomas S. Osborne is in charge of plant-breeding research being conducted by the University of Tennessee’s Agricultural Research Laboratory for the Atomic Energy Commission. He has been in this work since 1953.

But Dr. Osborne is a teacher at heart. Hence when students wrote inquiring about the effects of radiation on seeds, he took great interest in replying. From these replies grew mimeographed literature suggesting experiments for students; then this and other booklets.

Dr. Osborne received his undergraduate degree from Oklahoma State University and his doctorate from Washington State University.

Atoms in Agriculture

by Thomas S. Osborne,
Associate