Science of hybrid rice:
breeding, cropping patterns and the environment

1. Background
  Vietnam has developed the own hybrid rice seed production system using thermo-sensitive genetic male sterility (TGMS). This breeding system includes a seed mulltiplication of TGMS lines in mountain regions and the hybridization in Red River Delta, and faciliatate new hybrid varieties of rice for local needs. The hybrid vigor can promote the productivity and their shorter growing period leads to open a new cropping system. We have developed a new hibdid variety (Viet Lai 20) in cooperation with Japanese specialists under JICA project in Hanoi Agricultural University. However, the hybrid rice production system affects the ecosystem because of the intensive cultivation and change of cropping pattern. In addition, the socio-economic changes in rural area may occur because of the high input and more benefit in farmers.

2. Purposes
  The overall goal of the project is to make a reasonable development of hybrid rice cultivation. The present program aims to establish a scientific background of hybrid rice production system including studies on the genetics, breeding, cultivation, and the aspects of ecosystems and socio-economic impacts. The present program will contribute a practical technology and the development of rice production, as well as the sustainable development of agriculture.

3. Activities
To execute the project, the universities of Japan, Vietnam and Thailand collaborates under the topic of the hybrid rice, extending a consortium of Kyushu, Okinawa and Yamaguchi areas. The research will take multiple approaches which comprises three major parts:

(1) Rice breeding and physiological research
In the first component of the research, the major topics includes the development of new hybrid rice varieties to solve problems of local diseases and pest insects. Physiological research to evaluate the characters of the hybrid rice is also conducted.
(2) Environmental research
The second component treats the environmental matters when the hybrid rice introduces to an agroecosystem. The present hybrid rice needs more fertilizer which might cause a negative effect on land and water environment. The cultivation of hybrid rice will change a cropping pattern because of its shorter cultivation period and thus farmers may take different multicropping system, so that it may influence over biodiversity in agroecosystems.
(3) Socio-economic research
The third component considers socio-economic aspect of the seed production system of hybrid rice. This part will also treat regional research systems.

According to the above components, we will organize 3 research groups, each of which consists of Japanese, Vietnamese and Thai scientists.The project includes exchange of researchers, holding seminars/workshops, and conducting training program for young researches.

4. The Seminar in 2008

Date: November 22-24, 2008
Place: Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan

Please click here for proceedings of the seminar 2007 [PDF; 7.63MB].