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 2024.
Mechanical weeding in both longitudinal and lateral direction is now possible by planting in rows at equal intervals
- Contributes to the expansion of organic rice cultivation by increasing the efficiency of mechanical weeding -
NARO has developed a planting position control mechanism that allows rice seedlings to be planted in both longitudinal and lateral direction at equal intervals. Conventionally, riding weeders could only weed in one direction, but this technology allows riding weeders to travel in two directions, vertically and horizontally.
Related Press Release
https://www.naro.go.jp/english/laboratory/iam/press_release/plntpostcontrol/index.html
Weeding made easy by "AIGAMO-ROBOT"
- Organic rice cultivation reduces weeding frequency by approximately 60%, increases yield by 10% -
The AIGAMO-ROBOT inhibits weed photosynthesis and suppresses their growth by turbidity caused by stirring up the soil. NARO in collaboration with NEWGREEN Inc. (formerly Yukimai Design), ISEKI & CO., LTD, and the Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology conducted experimental study across the country for two years. Number of times that the manual weeding using machines was found to be reduced by about 60% compared to conventional organic farming, and yield losses due to weeds competition were avoided, increasing yields by about 10%
Breeding of a new delicious columnar apple variety "Benitsurugi"
- Labor-saving & high-yielding cultivation techniques -
NARO has developed a new apple variety called "Benitsurugi" that has a compact tree shape (columnar type) with branches that do not spread out horizontally. This improves workability and reduces the labor required for management tasks such as fruit management and harvesting. This is the first time in Japan that a variety has been developed that has characteristics of columnar type, high sugar content, and good taste.
Development of Japan's first Generative AI for Agriculture
NARO, in collaboration with Hokkaido University, Keyware Solutions Inc., Mie Agricultural Research Institute, Soft-build, and Farm Alliance Management has developed a generative AI specialized in agricultural knowledge and will begin an experimental study in Mie Prefecture on October. A key feature is its Continual Pre-Training, which incorporates not only publicly available data from the internet but also data gathered from agricultural organizations across Japan to provide more accurate information. This is the first generative AI designed specifically for the agricultural sector.
Related Press Release
https://www.naro.go.jp/english/topics/laboratory/01rcait/166200.html
The minute pirate bug Orius strigicollis (Poppius) hunts food tenaciously
- Nurturing natural enemy insects that take advantage of their behavioral characteristics -
NARO has developed a strain of Orius strigicollis, a natural enemy of pest insects and thrips, which does not give up when it could not find thrips to feed on but continues to search tenaciously. By developing a natural enemy insect that does not give up, it is expected that the insect will be able to attach better to crops and be more effective at controlling pests.
Breeding of high yielding soybean variety "Soramizuki" and "Soraminori"
- Contributing to a stable supply of domestically produced soybeans and improving food self-sufficiency rate -
NARO has developed new soybean varieties, "Soramizuki" and "Soraminori," which produce 30% more yields than conventional varieties. Both varieties have pod dehiscence resistance, achieving reduction of harvest loss with combine harvesting. And both varieties have tofu processing suitability. The suitable areas for cultivation are from Kanto to Kinki regions for "Soramizuki" and from Tokai to Kyushu regions for "Soraminori."
Development of a feed design support program for dairy farmers enabling quick calculations
- Proposal of the lowest-cost feed menu and feed crop planting plan -
NARO has developed a program that simultaneously proposes the cheap feed menu and feed crop planting plan for dairy farmers and published it on Google Colaboratory. The estimated results will be displayed just by uploading a file that inputs prerequisites such as the target milk yield, number of cows, unit price of purchased feed, production costs of self-produced feed, and field area.
"Tegusu-kun for greenhouses" reduces crow damage by 90%
- Easy to install with inexpensive materials -
Taking advantage of the nature of crows, who avoid less-visible obstacles, we have developed a technique that prevents crows from tearing the plastic film by stretching transparent fishing line in a zigzag pattern across the top of the greenhouse. It is possible for the farmers to set it up by themselves without stepladders. It was found from the aviary experiment that the number of holes made by crows was reduced by 90%.
