Outline of Workshop

The open seminar on "Application of Nuclear Technology and Mutation Breeding for Sustainable Agriculture" was held in Mongolian University of Life and Science (MULS), by attending with ca. 50 participants from related ministry, agricultural institutes, universities and FNCA member countries.
At the beginning of the seminar, Mr. Chadraabal Mavag, FNCA Coordinator of Mongolia and Head of Nuclear Technology Department, Nuclear Energy Commission of Mongolia (NEC) and Prof. Gantulga Gombo, Vice President of MULS delivered welcome remarks to all participants. Ms. Moe Aoki, Special Staff, Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology of Japan (MEXT) delivered opening speech and thanked Mongolia for their hospitality and effort to arrange the workshop.
For the overview lectures, Mr. Mavag reported on the policy of nuclear application in Mongolia. Secondly, Mr. Altansukh Moonon presented the policy of agriculture for food security in Mongolia, instead of Mr. Choi-Ish Lhamsuren, Head of Department of Strategic Policy and Planning, Ministry of Food and Agriculture.
Ms. Khulan Tumennasan, NEC introduced nuclear technology for agriculture including mutation breeding in Mongolia. Prof. Hirokazu Nakai, Shizuoka University talked on the roles of radiation induced mutation breeding for sustainable agriculture. Dr. Si-Yong Kang, Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute presented the application of mutation breeding for better agriculture in Korea. Prof. Liu Luxiang, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences reported on the success stories of mutation breeding for improving agriculture in China. Ms. Adelaida Barrida, Philippines Nuclear Research Institute presented development of disease resistant banana in the Philippines in FNCA project. Prof. Le Huy Ham, Institute of Agricultural Genetics of Vietnam introduced success story on mutation breeding of rice in Vietnam through FNCA activities. Dr. Atsushi Tanaka, Japan Atomic Energy Agency discussed application of ion beams for new mutation breeding in Japan.
Dr. Bayarsukh Noov, Director of Institute of Plant and Agricultural Science (IPAS), and Prof. Nakai delivered speech to close the seminar and expressed appreciation to all participants.

Overview
Prof. Nakai outlined purpose and challenge of the workshop and introduced major conclusions and issues at the 15th FNCA Ministerial Level Meeting and 16th FNCA Coordinators Meeting, related with radiation application for agriculture.

Extension of Successful Sub-project on Sorghum & Soybean, and Banana
Follow-up reports on the Sub-projects of Sorghum & Soybean, and Banana were presented respectively. For Sub-project on banana, extensive and well-planned post-breeding work has been performed for the dissemination of a mutant banana variety Lakatan in different areas in the Philippines. For Sub-project on Sorghum and Soybean, in 2014, sorghum and soybean mutation breeding has made significant progress by officially registering two sorghum (Samurai 1 and 2) and two soybean (Mutiara 2 and 3) mutant lines as new cultivar in Indonesia.

Country Report on Application of Mutation Breeding of Rice for Sustainable Agriculture
Nine member countries presented results in the past years and activity plan in 2016-2017 for Project on Mutation Breeding of Rice for Sustainable Agriculture. The meeting suggested that in order to achieve our goal and produce excellent outcome, the member countries should exchange the research materials with one another.

Cooperation with IAEA/RCA
Prof. Liu reported progress of the IARA/RCA project RAS5056 and introduced that presently 15 Member States are working under this project with different kinds of crops. The cooperation between FNCA and RCA may be extended in the 1) public awareness about positive impact of mutation breeding, 2) participation in 7th International Congress of Crop Science, 3) cooperation under the new RCA project on green variety development and FNCA project adaptable to climate changes, 4) updating mutant database.

Synergy with FNCA Project on Biofertilizer Project and Radiation Processing of Natural Polymers (PGP/elicitor)
Synergy was discussed with the lead comments from Malaysia and the Philippines, which have been trying to use the biofertilizer and/or PGP from carrageanan and oligo-chitosan for sustainable agriculture. It was confirmed of the importance of the synergy with the relevant FNCA project, it was indicated that the scientific data to certify the real effects of biofertilizer and oligo-chitosan has not yet been obtained enough. It was proposed that further experiments should be conducted in the relevant project before we make concreate and practical synergy.

Strategic Plan of the Project on Mutation Breeding of Rice for Sustainable Agriculture
Following by the lead speech by Prof. Nakai, each country's strategy plan of the project were accepted by all the participants. Development of new varieties for sustainable agriculture, difference of mutagenic effect between ion beams and gamma-rays, etc. were discussed for fruitful results of this project. It was agreed that an international symposium for mutation breeding would be held in JFY2017. In addition, it was also agreed that outcome and economic impact for each country would be estimated until the mid-term evaluation.

Technical visit
The participants visited some laboratory facilities for breeding, soil analysis, green houses for research and seed production of IPAS in Darkhan-uul province. Participants also visited the experimental field for cereal crop breeding and experiment plot of rice varieties tested for possible planting in Mongolia.

1) Outline of workshop

Opening Session and Open Seminar on Application of Nuclear Technology and Mutation Breeding for Sustainable Agriculture
The open seminar on "Application of Nuclear Technology and Mutation Breeding for Sustainable Agriculture" was held in Mongolian University of Life and Science (MULS), by attending with ca. 50 participants from related ministry, agricultural institutes, universities and FNCA member countries.
At the beginning of the seminar, Mr. Chadraabal Mavag, FNCA Coordinator of Mongolia and Head of Nuclear Technology Department, Nuclear Energy Commission of Mongolia (NEC) and Prof. Gantulga Gombo, Vice President of MULS delivered welcome remarks to all participants. Ms. Moe Aoki, Special Staff, Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology of Japan (MEXT) delivered opening speech and thanked Mongolia for their hospitality and effort to arrange the workshop.
For the overview lectures, Mr. Mavag reported on the policy of nuclear application in Mongolia. Secondly, Mr. Altansukh Moonon presented the policy of agriculture for food security in Mongolia, instead of Mr. Choi-Ish Lhamsuren, Head of Department of Strategic Policy and Planning, Ministry of Food and Agriculture.
Ms. Khulan Tumennasan, NEC introduced nuclear technology for agriculture including mutation breeding in Mongolia. Prof. Hirokazu Nakai, Shizuoka University talked on the roles of radiation induced mutation breeding for sustainable agriculture. Dr. Si-Yong Kang, Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute presented the application of mutation breeding for better agriculture in Korea. Prof. Liu Luxiang, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences reported on the success stories of mutation breeding for improving agriculture in China. Ms. Adelaida Barrida, Philippines Nuclear Research Institute presented development of disease resistant banana in the Philippines in FNCA project. Prof. Le Huy Ham, Institute of Agricultural Genetics of Vietnam introduced success story on mutation breeding of rice in Vietnam through FNCA activities. Dr. Atsushi Tanaka, Japan Atomic Energy Agency discussed application of ion beams for new mutation breeding in Japan.
Dr. Bayarsukh Noov, Director of Institute of Plant and Agricultural Science (IPAS), and Prof. Nakai delivered speech to close the seminar and expressed appreciation to all participants.

Session 2  Overview
Prof. Nakai outlined purpose and challenge of the workshop and introduced major conclusions and issues at the 15th FNCA Ministerial Level Meeting and 16th FNCA Coordinators Meeting, related with radiation application for agriculture.

Session 3  Extension of Successful Sub-project on Sorghum & Soybean, and Banana
Follow-up reports on the Sub-projects of Sorghum & Soybean, and Banana were presented respectively. The summaries for each presentation are attached as Annex 3.
For Sub-project on banana, extensive and well-planned post-breeding work has been performed for the dissemination of a mutant banana variety Lakatan in different areas in the Philippines. In summary, Total of 25,000 mutant clones of Lakatan were tested by farmers in 13 provinces in the Philippines, and in most cases they appeared to have better tolerance to banana bunchy top virus (BBTV) in different tests. The test will be continued and the preparation of registration of Lakatan as a new banana cultivar is under way.
For Sub-project on Sorghum and Soybean, in 2014, sorghum and soybean mutation breeding has made significant progress by officially registering two sorghum (Samurai 1 and 2) and two soybean (Mutiara 2 and 3) mutant lines as new cultivar in Indonesia. The mutant varieties have been distributed to the farmers and the economic impact will be also assessed in the coming years.

Session 4  Country Report on Application of Mutation Breeding of Rice for Sustainable Agriculture
Nine member countries presented results in the past years and activity plan in 2016-2017 for Project on Mutation Breeding of Rice for Sustainable Agriculture. The summaries for each presentation are attached as Annex 3.
The meeting suggested that in order to achieve our goal and produce excellent outcome, the member countries should exchange the research materials with one another. Currently, only 5 countries which are Philippines, Mongolia, Vietnam, Malaysia and Thailand, have initiated this exchange effort. Meanwhile, participation of Bangladesh, China, Indonesia, Korea and Japan is restricted by stringent regulations. Prof. Liu highlighted that all countries involved in the exchange of research materials should develop and follow a proper mutual agreement.

Session 5  Cooperation with IAEA/RCA
Prof. Liu reported progress of the IARA/RCA project RAS5056 and introduced that presently 15 Member States are working under this project with different kinds of crops like wheat, rice, black gram, soybean, mungbean etc. The project focuses on mutation breeding and water soil managements. Under this project, four training courses and three meeting/workshops were completed. Besides 120 new mutant lines on multi-location test and 19 new varieties have been released.
From last five years, FNCA and IAEA/RCA are co-operating each other. Experts are attending the meeting and workshops vice versa and evaluating the research works. FNCA are providing irradiation service to some RCA Member States by using carbon ion beams. In the future may extend cooperation in the following matter;
  1. Public awareness program about positive impact of mutation breeding
  2. 7th International Congress of Crop Science will be held in Beijing in 2016 and IAEA and FNCA should support
      the participating countries to attend it
  3. Two groups may extend co-operation under the new RCA project on green variety development and
      FNCA project adaptable to climate changes
  4. Mutant database should be updated by the collaboration between RCA and FNCA

Session 6  Synergy with FNCA Project on Biofertilizer Project and Radiation Processing of Natural Polymers (PGP/elicitor)
Synergy was discussed with the lead comments from Malaysia and the Philippines, which have been trying to use the biofertilizer and/or PGP from carrageanan and oligo-chitosan for sustainable agriculture. It was confirmed of the importance of the synergy with the relevant FNCA project, it was indicated that the scientific data to certify the real effects of biofertilizer and oligo-chitosan has not yet been obtained enough. It was proposed that further experiments should be conducted in the relevant project before we make concreate and practical synergy.

Session 7  Strategic Plan of the Project on Mutation Breeding of Rice for Sustainable Agriculture
Following by the lead speech by Prof. Nakai, each country's strategy plan of the project were accepted by all the participants. Development of new varieties for sustainable agriculture, difference of mutagenic effect between ion beams and gamma-rays, etc. were discussed for fruitful results of this project. It was agreed that an international symposium for mutation breeding would be held in JFY2017. In addition, it was also agreed that outcome and economic impact for each country would be estimated until the mid-term evaluation.

Closing Session
Dr. Bayarsukh and Prof. Nakai delivered closing remarks and thanked all participants for their efforts and cooperation to this workshop. All participants expressed their gratitude to the members of NEC and IPAS for their great arrangements and hospitality.

2) Technical visit
The participants visited some laboratory facilities for breeding, soil analysis, green houses for research and seed production of IPAS in Darkhan-uul province. Participants also visited the experimental field for cereal crop breeding including mutation program of wheat, the experimental plot for determination of optimal dose of rapeseed and screening plots of millet, maize, barley, durum wheat, triticale and buckwheat as well as the agronomy trail of mutant lines and screening nursery of disease resistance of wheat. At the demonstration plot of 22 wheat varieties including commercialized, newly registered and promising varieties sown for demonstration to farmers. Each year IPAS jointly with MOFA organize demonstration field day for farmers and introduce new varieties including mutant varieties. Participants visited experiment plot of rice where 70 varieties from IRRI and variety Nanatsuboshi from Japan are being tested for possible planting in Mongolia.

3) Attachments
Annex 1  Program
Annex 2  List of Participants
Annex 3  Session Summary

August 31st, (DAY 1)

September 1st, (DAY 2)

September 2nd, (DAY 3)

September 3rd, (DAY 4)

Bangladesh
Dr. ANK Mamun (PL)
Principal Scientific Officer & Head
Plant Biotechnology & Genetic Engineering Division
Institute of Food and Radiation Biology (IFRB)
Atomic Energy Research Estabulishment (Savar) (AERE)
Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission (BAEC)

China
Prof. Shu Qingyao (PL)
Professor
Institute of Nuclear Agricultural Sciences/Institute of Crop Science
Zhejiang University

Indonesia
Dr. Sobrizal (PL)
Rice Breeder
Division of Agriculture
Center for the Application of Isotopes and Radiation Technology (PATIR)
National Nuclear Energy Agency (BATAN)

Japan
Ms. Moe Aoki
Special Staff
International Nuclear Cooperation Division
Research and Development Bureau
Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT)

Prof. Hirokazu Nakai (PL)
Professor Emeritus, Former Vice President
Shizuoka University

Dr. Atsushi Tanaka
Director
Research Co-ordination and Promotion Office
Quantum Beam Science Center
Sector of Nuclear Science Research
Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA)

Ms. Aki Koike
International Affairs and Research Department
Nuclear Safety Research Association (NSRA)

Korea
Dr. Si-Yong Kang (PL)
Principal Researcher and Team Head
Radiation Breeding Research Team
Advanced Radiation Research Institute
Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI)

Malaysia
Dr. Sobri Bin Hussein
Research Officer
Agrotechnology and Biosciences Division
Malaysian Nuclear Agency (Nuclear Malaysia)

Mongolia
Dr. Bayarsukh Noov
Director
Plant Science and Agricultural Research, Training Institute (PSARTI)

The Philippines
Ms. Adelaida C. Barrida (PL)
Senior Science Research Specialist
Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (PNRI)

Thailand
Mr. Suniyom Taprab (PL)
Agricultural Senior Scientist (Rice breeding)
Bureau of Rice Research and Development
Rice Department (RD)
Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives (MOAC)

Vietnam
Prof. Le Huy Ham (PL)
Director General
Institute of Agricultural Genetics (AGI)

IAEA/RCA
Prof. Liu Luxiang
LCC of IAEA/RCA Project RAS5056
Director
National Center of Space Mutagenesis for Crop Improvement
Institute of Crop Science
Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS)