Isoda Laboratory
Main researches
Improvement of crop production in arid areas
Improvement of crop production in arid areas
It is still needed to increase crop production on a worldwide level, although there are enough foods in developed countries including Japan. There are a few opportunities to increase crop production further in the suitable areas now. On the other hand, it has been more important to improve crop production under undesirable conditions, especially arid conditions, because many developing countries are situated in arid areas. From 1990, I started the researches of growth and adaptation of soybeans under the arid conditions in Xinjiang, China (the western province of China, sited in Central Asia). In 1997 Shihezi Agricultural and Environmental Institute for Arid Areas of Central Asia (the present name; Urumqi Agricultural and Environmental Institute for Arid Areas of Central Asia) was established in Xinjian by Dr. Peiwu Wang who graduated my laboratory. I take part in the research direction of this institute. The researches about deficit irrigation methods, mechanism of drought tolerance and organic agriculture including organic fertilizers and soil conditioners made from coal ash, are carried out in this institute. My students visited and made experiments about cotton, soybean and sugar beet from 1999. In 2002, 3, 4, we obtained more than 8000 kg/ha of soybean yield, which is similar to the world record. We are now going to analyze reasons for this high yield, and intend to improve production of other crops as well as soybean. Recently, we started a new project of paddy rice cultivation with drip irrigation and mulch under field conditions.
Drip irrigation
Drip irrigation system is one of water saving irrigation, can save water about a half of water comsumed as compared the traditional irrigation, flood irrigation. It can also make an intense water management with high frequencies.
Soil conditioner
Soil conditioner has been developed by the institude, which was made from coal ash. Plants can grow vigrously with this soil conditioner.
Vigorous effects ofcotton at the right side
High yielding in soybean cultivation
In 2002, 2003 and 2004, we obtained more than 8000kg/ha in the experimantal field. In present, we are applying large scaled field experiments.
More than 150 pods per one plant in the experimental field! (upper left) Large scaled field experiments (upper right, lower left and right)
Rice cultivation under the drip irrigation
We have established paddy rice cultivation with drip irrigation and mulch in field conditions. Paddy rice can grow even in arid areas with a smaller amount of water as compared with paddy fields. This cultivation method will extend cultivation areas of paddy rice under the arid conditions, makes cultivation possible in slopes without flatting fields, and probably make less methan gas emission from paddy fields.
Cultivation in upland fields (all photos) Cultivation in a slope (lower right)
Phone : +81-47-308-8814 Graduate School of Horticulture, Chiba University
E-mail : isoda@ Dr.Akihiro Isoda
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