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IAEA looks at nuclear techniques for crop resilience
The International Atomic Energy Agency has launched a five-year coordinated research project (CRP) to strengthen plant health preparedness using nuclear and related technologies.
Wheat blast, potato late blight, potato bacterial wilt, and cassava witches broom disease can spread quickly across large areas of land, leading to severe yield losses in key crops for food security. Global trade and climate change have increased the likelihood of rapid, transboundary spread.
M. E. Anderson
Nuclear Technology | Volume 52 | Number 3 | March 1981 | Pages 428-430
Technical Note | Fission Reactor | doi.org/10.13182/NT81-A32717
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
Neutron yields of 239Pu-Be(α,n) sources are increasing due to the buildup of 241 Am, an alpha emitter, from the beta decay of 241 Pu. The yields and heat outputs of four sources, in which PuBe13 was formed during fabrication, have been followed for several years. Rates of increase in neutron yields at t = 0 vary from 0.3 to 1.9%/yr for initial 241 Pu contents from 0.10 to 0.70%. For three of these sources the increase in neutron yield follows the radioactive decay of the constituents. For the fourth, the increase in neutron yield is greater than expected. A possible explanation is offered.