NUKLEAR MALAYSIA BOOSTS AGRICULTURE WITH MUTATION BREEDING

By Thivyamalini Ramalu

BANGI, Sept 30 (Bernama) -- Nuclear technology plays a key role in boosting agricultural yields, including the development of new, more versatile kenaf crop varieties.

Using gamma-ray-induced mutation breeding, the Malaysian Nuclear Agency (Nuklear Malaysia), in collaboration with the National Kenaf and Tobacco Board (LKTN), has developed a new kenaf variety that produces more fibre for industrial use and more leaves that can be processed into healthy herbal beverages.

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Speaking to Bernama recently, Nuklear Malaysia director-general Dr Muhammad Rawi Mohamed Zin said the crop was improved through controlled exposure to gamma rays, which induces changes at the DNA level to produce a new variety that is more resilient and yields high-quality stems and leaves in larger quantities.

“…together with LKTN, we developed a new kenaf variety with improved traits. For example, the leaves are broader, allowing us to produce more herbal drinks compared to the older variety…and the fibre has increased as well,” he said.

He said the same method has been used to develop new rice seeds that can grow on marginal soils and are resistant to pests, diseases, and changing weather conditions.

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“Gamma-ray-induced mutation technology is aimed at producing new crop varieties that are drought-tolerant, more disease-resistant, and higher-yielding. One notable success is the development of the new NMR152 rice variety, which has been cultivated by farmers since 2023.

“The new variety has helped increase local farmers’ incomes, boosting harvests by 35 to 50 per cent. Farmers prefer these seeds for their high yields, stability across different environments, and suitability for cultivation on various types of soil, particularly less fertile lands,” he said.

Asked about the roles of Nuklear Malaysia and the Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (MARDI), Muhammad Rawi said that although the two agencies have different functions, they complement each other in strengthening the country’s agricultural sector.

“We conduct research and experiments to develop more competitive crop varieties. But to ensure our results are market-ready, the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (through MARDI) oversees and approves them,” he said.

According to Muhammad Rawi, Nuklear Malaysia and MARDI collaborate with the Agriculture Department to develop nuclear-based crop treatment protocols, including fruit phytosanitation for export to countries with stringent safety standards, such as the United States and the European Union.

“They set conditions: you can export there, but the fruits must first be irradiated with gamma rays to ensure they are free from harmful microorganisms and insects.

“Therefore, an integrated effort is needed to support farmers and help make their crops globally competitive,” he added.

Established in 1972 and operating under the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation (MOSTI), Nuklear Malaysia is the country’s sole national research institution responsible for nuclear science and technology research and development (R&D) for socio-economic development, while driving research, commercialisation, and innovation in nuclear technology for peaceful purposes and public benefit.

He said nuclear technology is also crucial in industry, primarily through the use of radioisotope tracers, which are widely used in Malaysia’s oil and gas sector.

“For example, the efficiency of oil and gas refining operations is measured using radioisotope tracers. This method is also used to detect pipeline leaks in the industry, allowing for faster and safer identification,” he added.

-- BERNAMA