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JIRCAS Mail Magazine No. 34 (August 2022)
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In conjunction with the 8th Tokyo International Conference on Agricultural Development (TICAD8), we have launched a special website to provide information on trends related to agriculture, forestry, and fisheries in Africa and the research activities of JIRCAS in Africa.
Information Page on Agricultural Research in Africa
https://www.jircas.go.jp/en/africa-research

In addition, the second official TICAD 8 side-event will be held on Tuesday, August 30.
No registration fee. Simultaneous Japanese-English interpretation will be provided,
Please join us.

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■ TICAD8 Official Side-event
"Managing African Soil for Food Security and Environmental Sustainability - Opportunities and Challenges of Agronomy to Solve Low Fertility/Nutrient Bottlenecks"
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For many years, JIRCAS has been developing technologies focusing on soil fertility management and oligotrophic soils, taking into account agro-climatic soil and socioeconomic conditions in Africa.
In this event, we will introduce our research results and approaches for social implementation to resolve low soil fertility and nutrient bottlenecks, and discuss challenges and solutions for the future of food in Africa.

● Date：30 August (Tue) Online 17:00 ～ 19:00 (JST)
● Program & Registration: https://www.jircas.go.jp/en/event/2022/e20220830
● Deadline of registration: 29 August (Mon) 16:00 (JST)

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■ Current Topics
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● AfricaRice Principal Scientist SAITO Kazuki Wins the 7th Niigata International Food Award 21st Century Hope Prize
Dr. SAITO Kazuki, Principal Scientist at Africa Rice Center (AfricaRice) and affiliated researcher at JICAS, was selected as the winner of the 21st Century Hope Prize of the 7th Niigata International Food Award.
https://www.jircas.go.jp/en/reports/2022/r20220801

● Proceedings of the JIRCAS-SEAFDEC/AQD Joint Workshop on Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA) Research
JIRCAS has been conducting a 10-year research project on Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA) in the Asia-Monsoon region in collaboration with the Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center (SEAFDEC) in the Philippines since 2011. We have now published the proceedings of the joint workshop held in August 2019.
https://www.jircas.go.jp/en/reports/2022/r20220817
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■ New Technologies and Research Outputs
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● PNAS Issues “Cozzarelli Prize” Certificate for the 2021 Best Paper: BNI-enabled Wheat Research
The Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America (PNAS) has issued the "Cozzarelli Prize” certificate  for the best paper of 2021, which has now been awarded to the recipients from JIRCAS.
https://www.jircas.go.jp/en/reports/2022/r20220810

Here are two examples of JIRCAS research on biological nitrification inhibition (BNI) technology.

● BNI-enabled wheat is nitrogen-efficient and maintains productivity for evaluation of fertilizer effect under upland rice cultivation in Africa
We have developed BNI-enhanced wheat, a high-yielding variety with BNI ability, through crossbreeding with a wild variety with high BNI ability.
It has improved productivity even in low nitrogen environments, and is expected to mitigate global warming caused by N2O emissions associated with nitrogen fertilizer loss, and reduce water pollutants.
https://www.jircas.go.jp/en/publication/research_results/2021_a04

● Discovery of biological nitrification inhibitors in maize roots
We have identified four compounds, including zeanone, a new highly BNI active compound, from the hydrophobic fraction of the surface layer of maize roots with BNI activity.
These compunds play an important role in the BNI activity of maize roots.
https://www.jircas.go.jp/en/publication/research_results/2021_a05

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■ Call for Submissions
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We welcome submission of articles on events overseas, timely local information, etc.
To submit an article, please include your affiliation, name (anonymous is OK), and the title of the article to
koho-jircas@ml.affrc.go.jp
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Please unsubscribe if you do not wish to receive future issues.
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【Edited and Published by】
Information and Public Relations Office
Japan International Research Center for Agricultural Sciences (JIRCAS)
1-1 Ohwashi, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8686, Japan
https://www.jircas.go.jp/en