FNCA 2006 WORKSHOP ON BIOFERTILIZER

Following the agreement at the Seventh FNCA Coordinators Meeting in March 1-3, 2006 in Tokyo , Japan , the FNCA 2006 Workshop on Biofertilizer took place as follows;

The opening session began with the welcome address by Mr. Chouvana Rodthongkhom, Secretary-General of OAP, Thailand , followed by the opening remarks by Mr. Kenichi Miyazawa on behalf of MEXT . Dr. Achara Nuntagij, Project Leader of Thailand introduced the participants and Dr. Tadashi Yokoyama, Project Leader of Japan presented the "Overview of FNCA Biofertilizer Project" as an introduction to the workshop.

In Session II, two keynote speeches and two special lectures were presented. Dr. Nantakorn Boonkerd of Suranaree University of Technology, Thailand, delivered a keynote paper on "Development of Biofertilizer Research and Production in Thailand" and Dr. Neung Teaumroong, also of Suranaree University of Technology, Thailand, delivered a paper titled "12 year Biofertilizer Research in Thailand, from genes to farmers". Dr. Takuji Ohyama of Niigata University, Japan, presented a talk on " 15 N Analysis by Emission Spectrometry" and Mr. Shotaro Ando of National Institute of Livestock and Grassland Science, Japan, gave a lecture on " Endophytic Nitrogen Fixation: the Third Plant-Microbe System of Nitrogen Fixation ".

In Session III, Lead-off Speech was delivered by Dr. Nantakorn Boonkerd followed by presentations on "Strategies for Extension of Biofertilizer Use" by Indonesia , Japan , Korea , Malaysia , the Philippines , Thailand and Vietnam . Prof. Dr. Abdul Aziz ( Bangladesh ) presented a special lecture on "Current Status of Biofertilizer in Bangladesh ". The points discussed and agreed upon are given in the minutes.

In Session IV, presentations on "Comparison on Effects of Sterilization of Biofertilizer Carriers by Irradiation and Autoclaving" were made by Indonesia , Korea , Malaysia , the Philippines , Thailand and Vietnam . Advantages of sterilization of carrier by irradiation discussed and agreed upon are summarized in the minutes.

In Session V, keynote speech on "Radiation Application to Bioindustry" was delivered by Dr. Issay Narumi of Japan Atomic Energy Agency followed by presentations on "Strategy for Practical Application of Sterilized Carrier by Irradiation" by Indonesia , Korea , Malaysia , the Philippines , Thailand and Vietnam . The points discussed and agreed upon are summarized in the minutes.

In Session VI, project Evaluation agreed upon by the participants is given in the minutes.

"Future perspective of FNCA Biofertilizer project" was proposed and agreed upon by the participants . The following topic is proposed for the future project by revising the present biofertilizer project;

Title: Development of new functional microorganisms for sustainable agriculture
Definition of "functional microorganisms" means microorganisms with more effective symbiotic and non-symbiotic properties, tolerant to biotic and abiotic stresses, with the abilities to promote plant growth and control plant pathogens.

Plan 1: Selection of functional microorganisms in agriculture

• Mutation breeding of functional microorganisms by irradiation
  -- Symbiotic and non-symbiotic microorganisms such as Rhizobium , Azospirillum, mycorrhiza, PGPR, antagonistic microorganisms for plant diseases, etc.
• The use of isotope techniques to evaluate effectiveness of functional microorganisms

Plan 2: Irradiation sterilization of carriers for microorganisms

• Establishment of suitable sterilization methods for carriers
• Practical application of carriers sterilized by gamma and electron beam irradiation

Participants made a technical visit to Huai Hong Khrai Royal Development Study Center and Biofertilizer factory of Chiang Mai University .