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 2022.
Discovery of new bacterial species that produces a high proportion of propionate precursors
- Expected to reduce methane emissions from cows -
NARO has succeeded in isolating a new bacterial species that produces a high proportion of propionate precursors. This bacterial species is isolated from the rumen of dairy cows with low methane production, which can lead to the suppression of methane production. In the future, the use of this bacterial species as a probiotic agent is expected to contribute to the reduction of methane emissions from cows and the improvement of feed efficiency.
New molecular test method that enables differential diagnosis of classical swine fever and African swine fever
- Contributes to the early implementation of preventive measures through easy and rapid detection -
NARO and Takara Bio Inc. have jointly developed a new real-time PCR method that allows rapid, sensitive detection and differentiation of both classical swine fever virus (CSFV) and African swine fever virus (ASFV) genes in two hours without purifying nucleic acid from test samples. This test method contributes to the prompt implementation of preventive measures along with strengthening surveillance activities for these devastating swine diseases, which are major threats for pork industries in Japan. Related Press Release.
Development of an AI app for diagnosing disease potential in fields against soil-borne diseases
- Proposal of countermeasures according to the disease potential level for each field -
AI diagnosing consortium against soil-borne disease, including NARO and Research Institute of Systems Planning (ISP), has developed a web application "HeSo+". This application can diagnose potential of soil-borne diseases in fields based on soil analyses and cultivation conditions and propose the countermeasures according to the disease potential level. By utilizing "HeSo+" the excessive use of soil disinfectant can be reduced, which is expected to improve the profitability of producers and reduce the environmental burden.
A new sweet potato cultivar "Michishizuku"
- High-yielding, resistant to sweet potato foot rot disease and raw material for shochu & starch -
NARO has developed a new sweet potato cultivar "Michishizuku" which is resistant to sweet potato foot rot disease. This high yielding cultivar is used as a raw material for the preparation of shochu and starch. Shochu made from "Michishizuku" has good taste and flavor similar to that of shochu made from "Koganesengan", a leading cultivar which is used as a raw material until now. Seed potatoes are being propagated for the popularization of "Michishizuku" in the sweet potato production areas of southern Kyushu.
Rapid and accurate investigation of rice planthoppers occurrence by the specialized AI
- Visual inspection time of 1 hour or more can be reduced to 3-4 minutes -
NARO has developed an AI system that can significantly reduce the time required to investigate the occurrence of rice planthoppers. By utilizing this specialized AI, the inspection time can be reduced to 3-4 minutes, which may take more than an hour per survey board by visual inspection. This AI system will be useful for the accurate prediction of crop damage due to pests and their control. Related Press Release.
Establishment of a pest control method using ultrasound for noctuid moths
- Reduces the number of insecticide applications by 90% -
NARO in collaboration with MEMS CORE Co., Ltd. and Kyoto Prefectural Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Technology Center has established a pest control method by developing a device that uses ultrasound to repel pests such as noctuid moths, which causes wide range of crop damage. This technology utilizes the behavioral maneuver of noctuid moths to escape from insectivorous bats generating ultrasonic pulses for echolocation. Related Press Release.
Leaf sweeper that helps to reduce the occurrence of Apple Scab
- Possible to efficiently collect fallen leaves with removal rate of around 90% -
NARO in collaboration with OREC CO., LTD. and Aomori Prefectural Industrial Technology Research Center, has developed a leaf sweeper for fallen leaves, the source of apple scab infections. This sweeper can sweep up the fallen leaves of apple trees at about 30 times more efficient than manual work and achieves the removal rate of 80-90% for fallen leaves stuck on the ground after the snowmelt. It was commercialized in March 2022. Related Press Release.
Remote-controlled lawn mower that can be operated even on steep slopes with an incline of 45-degrees
- Stronger, faster and compact! Safer to work even in mountainous area-
NARO, in collaboration with IHI Agri-Tech Corporation and Fukushima Prefectural Agricultural Center, has developed the first compact lawn mower made in Japan to use a hammer-knife type that can be operated even on slopes with an incline of 45-degrees by remote control. It can handle weeds that have thick stems and are over 1m in height, and the labor time can be reduced to about 50% of that of existing small lawn mowers on both flat and sloping ground. It was commercialized in June 2022.
