Application of ionizing radiation for crop improvement

Plant irradiation could be a promising approach to fulfill the food need of the constantly increasing world population within the ever-changing climate. A fast increase in the population, an ever-changing climate, as well as a decrease in the quantity and quality of areas suitable for farming impose challenges on agriculture. There is growing understanding that under current conditions, based on conventional methods farming is less effective and is not able to meet the food demands of the growing global population. This review focuses on radiation technologies, the success of which depends on a clear understanding of plant biology. The use of ionizing radiation to stimulate plant development and the application of radiation mutagenesis to crop improvement is discussed in detail. Particular attention is paid to the methodology of combined use of radiation mutagenesis and genome editing to increase the efficiency of plant breeding. In this case, ionizing radiation acts as a tool for searching for candidate genes involved in resistance to abiotic stressors or determinants of plant productivity. This review highlights that precision-guided ionizing radiation, when applied with calibrated protocols, can enhance crop yield, stress adaptability, and resilience. By bridging mechanistic insights with practical applications, this review underscores the potential of nuclear-assisted plant breeding to address food security in an era of environmental uncertainty, offering a roadmap for future advancements.