Agnirva Space Premier League - Expedition #31560: Cosmic Crops: Using Space Radiation to Grow Better Seeds

Can space radiation help us grow better crops? That’s what scientists explored in the FAO/IAEA Feasibility Study for Seed Irradiation in Space for Induced Genetic Diversity. Led by Dr. Shoba Sivasankar and the Joint FAO/IAEA Centre, this unique experiment aimed to test whether exposure to space radiation could trigger useful genetic changes in seeds.

Seeds were flown aboard Expedition 68 and exposed to space conditions before returning to Earth for planting and analysis. Radiation in space is different from Earth—more intense, with a broader spectrum of energy. This unique exposure could accelerate mutations that may lead to crops with improved drought resistance, faster growth, or higher yields.

This space-based mutation breeding holds promise for food security, especially in areas affected by climate change. The study was a first step in using space as a tool for agricultural innovation, linking nuclear science, biology, and spaceflight.

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