Institute of Agrobiological Sciences, NARO

Crop Stress Management Group

Every plant can adapt to the environment where it has germinated and settled. Through discovery and analysis of its ability to adapt,

  • We study temperature-responsive mechanisms of pollen development, focusing on the newly identified rice temperature-sensitive male sterility factor, to develop an efficient technique for hybrid breeding, and to build a strategic basis for mitigation of high-temperature-induced male sterility.
  • We use functional genomics and epigenomics approaches to study the transcriptional regulation underlying the response and adaptation to abiotic stresses. We aim to improve crop resilience to abiotic stresses by manipulating gene regulatory networks.
  • We are developing efficient screening methods for detecting useful microorganisms that enhance crop productivity against various stresses. Moreover, we develop novel robust microbial materials, which stays effective under broad conditions, through analysis of the selected microorganisms.
  • Based on the elucidation of symbiotic mechanisms between host plants and symbiotic microorganisms, we aim to develop crop cultivation systems with reduced environmental impact and plant-microbe symbiosis systems with enhanced environmental adaptability by optimizing plant abilities.

Members

Centers・Institutes