Sub-Project on Drought Tolerance in Sorghum and Soybean

Working Period : 2002 - 2006 (Terminated)
Participating Countries
    Sorghum : China, Indonesia
    Soybean : Indonesia, Malaysia, The Philippines, Vietnam

Sorghum is one of five major cereals along with corn, rice, wheat and barley, and it is produced for fodder as well as staple around the world. In recent years it is expected to be a biofuel substituted for fossil fuels and global demand increases.

Soybean contains rich protein and is called "meat from the field". Especially in Japan, it is eaten in various ways such as soybean curd, natto, miso, source, flour, green soybean, sprout, oil and etc., and also produced for fodder as well as sorghum.

"Sub-Project on Drought Tolerance in Sorghum and Soybean" was started in 2002 and the aim was to develop new drought tolerant varieties of sorghum and soybean which can grow up even in coastal and mountain areas that have no irrigation system. (Results of MRP Formulation Meeting for Project Review for the 3rd FNCA Coordinators Meeting (Indonesia, 2001))

Sorghum varieties in Indonesia Right: parent Left 4: improved mutants by gamma ray

After 5 years activity, China obtained 2 promising mutant lines and Indonesia obtained 10 promising mutant lines for sorghum. Especially B-100 from Indonesia showed 30% tolerant compared with parent variety and it is used for production of bioethanol. For soybean, Indonesia obtained 8 promising mutant lines and DT96 from Vietnam was released officially and became widespread in farmers.

The activity of this sub-project was terminated in 2006 successfully. In Vietnam, now DT96 became one of main varieties and planted area is extended to 30,000ha and it accounts for 15% of total planted area of soybean. (as of May, 2012)

Furthermore, the outcome of research activity, "Achievement of Sub-Project on Drought Tolerance in Sorghum and Soybean", was published in March 2009. ("Achievement of Sub-Project on Drought Tolerance in Sorghum and Soybean")