Countermeasures to mitigate the transfer of radiocesium from soil to upland crops

Abstract

The accident at Tokyo Electric Company’s Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant widely contaminated agricultural land in eastern Japan with radionuclides, particularly in parts of Fukushima Prefecture. The severe damage caused to agriculture and the environment remains of great concern in Fukushima. Because ¹³⁷Cs has a long half-life and is retained in the soil for extended periods, its transfer to crops is a long-term problem. Since the accident, NARO has been conducting research on the contamination of agricultural products and soils, and studies to establish strategies for reducing radiocesium transfer from the soil to crops. This review outlines the research results on countermeasures to mitigate radiocesium transfer from soil to upland crops.