Stable and efficient production of high-quality self-supplying feed crops is a key factor to improve and stabilize the income of livestock farmers. We are developing the following techniques to enable the efficient production of high-quality self-supplying feed in the Tohoku region.
Establishing and verifying corn cultivation techniques
Rising demand for cereals worldwide has created the need for domestic production of corn and other grains. Lack of variety suitable for corn grain production is a major factor currently preventing the cultivation of grain corn in Japan. Thus, we are selecting such varieties with high grain yields and low mycotoxin levels.
No-till farming is a labor- and energy-saving cultivation technique. However, it is reported that N fertilizers tend to be utilized less efficiently under no-till farming than conventional till farming in north America. In order to popularize no-till farming, we are developing a N fertilizer management suitable for the soil and climate conditions in Japan. We are also clarifying the effect of legume cover crop on the corn yield under no-till farming.
Establishing and verifying forage soybean cultivation techniques
In recent years, forage soybeans have gained attention as a self-supplied source of protein. However, due to the lack of registered agricultural chemicals for forage soybeans, forage soybeans must be produced without use of herbicides. We are developing a production system free of agricultural chemicals for soybean whole-crop silage (feed using the entire plant, including stems and leaves) by using Italian ryegrass as a living mulch. In response to demand from users for feed with high protein content, we are also developing low-cost cultivation techniques for soybean soft-grain silage (feed composed mostly of grain).
Developing new pasture grass varieties
We are developing high-quality pasture grass varieties suitable for the environment of the Tohoku region. Until now, in addition to growing "Tohoku 1", a high-quality festulolium with high levels of wet endurance feasible for sites like abandoned paddy fields, and "Icarus" with improved winter hardiness. We have grown "Quattro-TK5", an Italian ryegrass that delivers outstanding winter hardiness and enables two cropping even in the Tohoku region. We are currently carrying out demonstration testing and promotional activities for these new varieties. In addition, we are breeding orchard grass, a core grass species in the Tohoku region, and perennial ryegrass for grazing.
High-quality forage crops such as Italian ryegrass, corn and soybean that can be used in the Tohoku region.
Group Leader
Group Members
- UCHINO Hiroshi
- KUBOTA Akito
- FUJISAO Kazuhiko
