APPLYING PRINCIPLES OF GENERAL PHYSICS TO DESIGN EFFECTIVE STRATEGIES FOR PLANT DISEASE PREVENTION AND ENHANCEMENT OF AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION

Abstract

The significant impact of ionizing radiation and physical factors on vegetative growth and pest resistance of various plant species underlies the development of their ability to exist and grow in contaminated areas, space conditions and unfavourable agricultural environment. Exposure to radiation from cosmic rays, nuclear accidents, or radioactive substrates causes the morphological, physiological, and biochemical changes that shapes species-specific tolerance windows, but previous studies failed to reliably extrapolate radiations and physical conditions such as temperature, humidity, and light. While radiation effects are well documented, the combined influence of multiple physical factors with γ- and X-ray exposures, and their role in growth–defense trade-offs across species with different architectural and physiological traits have not been well characterized. This research examines vegetative development, morphological and anatomical responses, photosynthetic performance and pests naturally occurring at the most susceptible entities of the targeted plant species under controlled doses of ionizing radiation coupled with modulated physical factors, such as mechanical stress and soil differences. Results show variable effects on biomass accumulation or suppression depending on the tested species, as well as structural alterations of stems and leaves, induced efficiency of chlorophyll, radiation-triggered defensive pathways leading to secondary metabolites production and pest pressure reduction. Evidence of growth defense trade-offs, with some species increasing resistance but at the cost of reduced vegetative growth. This study systematically integrates the effects of radiation and other abiotic components of the environment–showing how combined effects of abiotic inputs alter growth trajectories, resistance traits, as well as patterns of physiological allocation. These findings provide a basis for enhancing crop resilience, pest-management strategies, and the potentially relevant agricultural and ecological practices in radiation-affected or stress-microbe intensive systems.