biotic stress resistance evaluation Tag

In a strategic effort to enhance the Philippines’ agricultural competitiveness, the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), in partnership with the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) and the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), has successfully concluded two key internship training programs in 2024: the Basic Bioinformatics Course and the Basic Digital Phenotyping Course. These courses aim to equip Filipino university students and early-career professionals with the knowledge and skills in critical fields such as bioinformatics, genomics, molecular physiology, and biotechnology, empowering the next generation of researchers to drive agricultural innovation in the country.

Bioinformatics, the computational center of biology, can be used in rice research to identify genes of favorable agronomic traits such as increased yield or high nutrition which can then be introduced to rice varieties that do not carry them. It can also help predict phenotypic results, speeding up experiments that usually take years to develop. The partnership is also in the process of constructing the UPLB Genome Agricultural Research Center, which will be the home of genome and omics studies in the country.

The three-month internship program facilitated by the Bioinformatics team, in collaboration with IRRI Education, provides foundational knowledge of bioinformatics. Specifically, interns were trained to use the Linux Operating System to manipulate and analyze data on genomics-related information. The internship program aims to prepare the upcoming crop of Filipino researchers who will either conduct their projects in AGRC or be employed as AGRC research staff.

This marked the second phase of the two internship training programs. The first phase of the Basic Bioinformatics Course and Basic Digital Phenotyping Course was successfully conducted in 2022, laying a strong foundation for advancing knowledge in these fields. Building on the lessons and outcomes, the second phase in 2024 integrated significant enhancements, including utilizing a digital learning platform to deliver the courses effectively and expand their reach.

It has provided participants with practical, real-world experience in bioinformatics and digital phenotyping. Although the initial hybrid cohort has now completed the training, the program continues, with additional cohorts set to finish their courses through 2025. The program initially targeted 120 interns, but with 137 current participants, it has far exceeded expectations, further expanding the pool of skilled researchers in these critical fields.

Participants have developed essential skills in bioinformatics tools and data analysis techniques, all critical for advancing agricultural research. Reflecting on the participants’ achievements, Dr. Kenneth McNally, International Consultant at IRRI, stated, “We hope that our participants gained sufficient experience from this training course to be confident running different types of analysis and to apply other tools in their future work.”

Through this ongoing collaboration, the KOICA-UPLB-IRRI partnership is advancing academic and professional growth and contributing significantly to the Philippines’ agricultural research ecosystem. By equipping young Filipino researchers with the tools and experience needed to succeed, this partnership is helping shape the future of agricultural competitiveness, ensuring that the Philippines remains at the forefront of agricultural innovation and sustainability.

Interested in designing a similar course for your organization? Email us at education@irri.org

Los Baños, Laguna, Philippines — November 29, 2024 Rice production is a significant source of a greenhouse gas (GHG) called methane (CH4), accounting for up to 20% of national GHG inventories. Given the urgent need for climate action, mitigating GHG emissions from rice farming has become a critical global policy objective. Accurate measurement of emissions is essential for developing effective mitigation strategies, tracking progress, and ensuring that global climate targets are met.

Hosted at IRRI’s headquarters in Los Baños, IRRI Education conducted a “GHG Emissions in Rice Systems: Basics of Mechanisms and Standards for Measurement” course last November 29, 2024, which brought together 30 participants from India, Japan, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Benin, and the Philippines. The course aimed to enhance expertise in measuring greenhouse gas emissions from rice-based systems and explore effective mitigation strategies.

“Methane is 28 times more potent than carbon dioxide (CO2)”, said IRRI Senior Associate Scientist Olivyn Angeles, “Currently, it is at 1908.61 parts per billion (ppb) which, compared to the pre-industrial levels of 600-700, is very huge [increase] already.”, she continued.

In rice systems, a field may produce more greenhouse gas than when a person drives a car. IRRI Senior Scientist Ando Radanielson explains that on average, a rice field in the Philippines produces 1.46 kg of methane per hectare during the dry season. This emission is approximately equivalent to the carbon dioxide produced when a person drives a car for about 31,500 km.

IRRI Interim Head of Sustainable Impact through Rice-based Systems (SIRS), Dr. Virender Kumar, emphasized the urgency of addressing climate change. “To mitigate its worst effects, we must limit global warming to below 1.5°C.” To achieve this, sustainable rice farming practices need to be adopted on a wider scale.

In addition to GHG measurement techniques, participants learned about mitigation practices like Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD), which can significantly reduce methane emissions. Through AWD, fields are periodically drained and re-flooded, reducing irrigation costs. This method has effectively mitigated GHG emissions in rice production up to 30-70% with no reduction in yield. This is because when the field is drained and dried, the growth of methane-producing bacteria is inhibited resulting in a reduction in GHG emission.

The course also highlighted the importance of standardized emissions data for policy development and climate finance initiatives. Through capacity-building initiatives like this, IRRI aims to promote climate change mitigation through sustainable rice production. The training will be offered again in 2025, further strengthening efforts to tackle GHG emissions in rice farming.

Interested in designing a similar course for your organization? Email us at education@irri.org

Los Baños, Laguna, Philippines – A two-week hands-on training program on biotic stress resistance evaluation concluded at the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) on October 31, 2024, with 19 researchers and scientists from 9 countries including the USA, Italy, Vietnam, India, South Korea, Laos, Cambodia, Indonesia, and the Philippines.

The training aimed to equip participants with practical skills in identifying, collecting, isolating, and evaluating the damage caused by major rice pests and diseases. The immersive program included lectures, laboratory exercises, and field visits, designed to enhance participants’ understanding of resistance evaluation techniques crucial to their research.

Former IRRI Senior Scientist for Plant Pathology Genetics and Biotechnology Division Dr. Casiana Vera Cruz highlighted the importance of resistance strategies for managing diseases and pests. She stated that effective screening protocols are vital for successful resistance programs, especially when collaborating with rice breeders. “Resistance to diseases and pests is one of the most economical, safe, and environmentally friendly methods of managing these challenges,” she explained.

Dr. Hans Bhardwaj, Research Director and Head of IRRI’s Rice Breeding Innovations, underscored the necessity of standardized and harmonized screening protocols. “This course provides the practical skills and knowledge needed to conduct effective evaluations that ensure reliability and consistency across global research efforts.” He also emphasized the value of networking, noting that the professional relationships developed during the course would benefit their future work.

The training featured expert-led sessions on a range of topics, including rice diseases, insect pests, pathogen collection, media preparation, and especially pathogen inoculation and pest infestation techniques. Dr. Van Schepler-Luu, the primary expert for the course, led the program, with invaluable contributions from resource persons across several IRRI groups, including the Plant Pathology and Host Plant Resistance, Entomology, and Biotic Stress Resistance Evaluation Center (BSREC). Participants gained hands-on experience with pathogen isolation, insect nematode rearing, and pest damage evaluation in greenhouse settings.

Participant feedback was highly positive, with many highlighting the practical value of the hands-on training. Ms. Subah Soni, a graduate student researcher from the University of California, Davis, USA, described the course as an “accelerated learning experience” that helped her gain confidence in handling rice pathogens and pests. Ms. Maricel Torres, Assistant Scientist at IRRI, emphasized how the training would help her support farmers in identifying early signs of pests and diseases while applying eco-friendly control methods.

Given the success of this year’s program, the IRRI Education team plans to offer the course again in 2025.

Interested in designing a similar course for your organization? Email us at education@irri.org