The MAFF Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Research Council in collaboration with the agricultural technology association selects 10 research achievements every year with high-impact and significant contribution to society. The high-impact research achievements are selected from research outputs of national research institutes, public research institutes, universities and private enterprises published in newspapers. Eight researches from NARO were among the ten research achievements selected for 2020.
Development of new AI that can visualize image features
NARO has developed an AI algorithm that can visualize the image features, which become the basis for the AI algorithm's judgment. When this AI algorithm is utilized in potato leaf disease diagnosis (healthy or diseased), we found that this AI algorithm could diagnose diseased potato leaves with an accuracy of 95% or more, based on the disease's characteristics. Since this AI algorithm can clarify the basis of its judgment, our approach is safe and reliable for the user. Moreover, we will also use this algorithm in various fields that require an AI algorithm that can visualize the basis of its judgment. Read more
Prevention and control method against thrips using red LED light
Lately, some agricultural pests have acquired pesticide resistance, and thrips are no exception. The development of an effective method for the prevention and control of thrips to reduce agricultural chemical usage is strongly required.
NARO, in cooperation with the Research Institute for Environment, Agriculture and Fisheries, Osaka Prefecture, the Shizuoka Prefectural Research Institute of Agriculture and Forestry, and Koha CO., Ltd, has established an effective prevention and control method against thrips using red LED light. The method is highly effective against melon thrips, a pest for eggplants, cucumbers, and melons in the greenhouse environment. The new method will promote the reduction of the usage of agricultural chemicals.
Database Search System of the farm accidents to promote safe farm practices
In 2018, the number of fatal accidents occurred during farm work was 274. The rate of fatal accidents per 100,000 workers in the agricultural industry has been significantly higher than in other industries, and it has been a major concern over a long time.
NARO developed an online Farm Accidents Database Search System which is accessible to anyone. Individual reports are well analyzed, and users can obtain invaluable information such as the hazards found in farm operations and countermeasures for prevention. The database not only calls for public awareness but provides farmers with comprehensive information to plan and implement effective safety measures.
"Paddy field dam", making use of paddy fields as mitigation system of inside water flood
NARO has developed a reference showing the acceptable ponding water depth and the ponding duration in each growth stage of rice to grow without decreasing its yield. It is shown that even when the rice plants are in the water stored in the paddy field, there won't be a serious impact on its yield if the depth and the duration are within the range shown in the reference. Such information wasn't clarified up to the present. It is expected to foster better understanding among the paddy field owners, which is an essential premise for their cooperation to countermeasure against heavy rainfall using paddy fields, such as "paddy field dam". The project also includes the development of the runoff control devices to control the ponding water level inside the paddy field. The "Dam keeper" is a rectangular weir plate with a slit, and the "Field gate" is a device with an orifice, to be set together at the drainage boxes of a paddy field plot. They regulate the outflow from the paddy field and therefore control the ponding water level inside.
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Identification of antagonistic genes controlling stem growth in rice
The existence of biological factors controlling the rice stem growth was presented previously by Japanese scientists about 50 years ago, but the mechanism remained unclear.
Nagoya University, Okayama University, Yokohama City University, National Institute of Genetics, RIKEN, and NARO have identified two antagonistic genes that regulate the stem growth in rice. ACE1 gene promotes internode elongation of the stems, while DEC1 gene represses the internode elongation. The mechanism of internode elongation mediated by the above two antagonistic ACE1 and DEC1 is conserved in the Gramineae family. The achievement obtained from the study is thus expected to play an important role in future development and application of modern technology for the artificial control of plant height not only in rice but also in other crops such as wheat and barley.Read more
Heat exchange efficiency of the heat pump is highly improved by installation of sheet type heat exchanger in a water flow
NARO has revealed that installing a sheet type heat exchanger in a water flow such as agricultural irrigation canals can exchange heat approximately 15 times more efficiently than installing it underground. Agricultural irrigation canals widely used in rural areas can be effectively used as heat sources for heat pumps by this research result. It also helps to reduce the consumption of energy for cooling and heating of greenhouses and its operational costs.Read more
Prediction system for Satsuma mandarin sugar content using AI
The production process of high-quality Satsuma mandarin involves various practices, such as fruit thinning, water level control, and fertilizer application. Early prediction of the year's mandarin sugar content would be valuable for farmers to adjust their practices to gain the best result.
NARO developed a system using AI to predict the year's sugar content of Satsuma mandarin through analyzing the accumulated data of sugar content and weather from the past. The system can predict the sugar content by area, and the prediction is possible as early as around July. It is expected to foster effective production management and enables farmers to produce high-quality Satsuma mandarin.
Prediction and alert system of the foehn effect three days in advance to prevent damage in rice cultivation
When rice in its early ripening stage is exposed to high temperature and dry air caused by the foehn effect, it leads to immature rice with chalk formation and lowers the quality.
NARO developed a system that can predict the location where the foehn effect is likely to occur three days in advance based on the meteorological simulation using a regional atmospheric model and publish alerts displaying the areas at 1 km resolution. The system currently covers the Kyushu area in southern Japan, and farmers can check the alerts through NARO online support system for production management. We plan to add the Hokuriku area in northern Japan to our coverage.
