This book illuminates the essential role of plant genetic resources (PGR) in tackling global challenges such as climate change, desertification, and salinization of agricultural land. The SATREPS program, a collaboration between the Japan Science and Technology Agency and the Japan International Cooperation Agency, has yielded several scientific findings and new agricultural technologies for over fifteen years. The use of plant genetic resources is a pivotal focus of SATREPS. This volume presents groundbreaking research and practical applications that enhance sustainable crop production in developing countries.

Chapters explore topics like enhancing rice yields in Madagascar with minimal fertilizer use, developing nitrogen-efficient wheat systems in the Indo-Gangetic Plains, and combating climate change with resilient crops. Readers will discover diverse perspectives on the genetic improvement of staple and underutilized crops, including rice, wheat, tomato, quinoa, forage crops, cassava, banana, and rubber. The book demonstrates how PGR can be leveraged to overcome extreme environmental challenges and improve agricultural productivity, addressing SDG 2 while promoting safe, nutrition-rich food and sustainable agriculture practices worldwide.

This book is essential for researchers in agricultural sciences, agronomy, breeding, plant pathology, soil science, climate change adaptation, and crop production on marginal lands. It also serves as a valuable resource for the professional staff of agricultural research stations and researchers in private companies. Readers will gain insights into sustainable agriculture practices that contribute to global food security, insights that may also enhance agricultural production in developed countries. The research and development presented here may help eliminate nutritional deficiencies and foster global agricultural sustainability.

Autorentext

Tsukasa Nagamine (Dr. Agr., Kyushu University) is a plant breeder and served in the Genebank of National Institute of Agrobiological Sciences (NIAS). His research interests is the conservation and use of plant genetic resources. He was the Director of Administration and Planning Department of the National Institute of Crop Sciences of the National Agriculture and Food Organization (NARO) and afterwards the Director General of Western Region Agricultural Research Center (NARO). He was the Vice President of NIAS since 2012 and afterwards the Vice President of NARO since 2016. He is the Research Supervisor of Japan Science and Technology Agency since 2015.

Misa Masuda, MSc, PhD (Kyoto University) is a Professor Emeritus at the University of Tsukuba and a Research Supervisor of the SATREPS bioresource field, the Japan Science and Technology Agency. Her research areas are natural resource management and rural development. She engaged in field research mainly in Southeast Asia, South Asia, and West Africa for the past 40 years, and her experience has been utilized in evaluating ODA technical cooperation projects in various regions. She also served as a board member and the editor-in-chief of the Japan Society of Tropical Ecology and a bord member of the Japanese Forest Society.

Dr. Kenji Irie is Professor and Dean of the Faculty of International Agriculture and Food Studies at Tokyo University of Agriculture. For the past 30 years, he has conducted research on the exploration and survey of overseas genetic resources and the sustainable use and management of genetic resources. He has served as a board member and editor-in-chief of the Japanese Society of Tropical Agriculture. At present, he is Research Supervisor of the JST-SATREPS programme in the field of biological resources.