On the invitation of Dr. Kanchana Klakhaeng, Director of Rice Research and Development, Rice Department, Ministry of Agriculture, Thailand From 17-21 August 2015, Professor Shu Qingyao visited key rice research centers in Thailand, as a contracted expert of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). During the visit, Professor Shu inspected the facilities and rice breeding activities in Prachinburi Rice Research Centre (PCR), Pathumthani Rice Research Centre (PTR), Suphanburi Rice Research Centre (SPR), Cha-Choeng-Sao Rice Research Centre (CRC), reviewed the progress on the IAEA-Thailand Technical Cooperation project on “increasing adaptability for adverse environment tolerance in rice germplasm using nuclear techniques”. Professor provided the counterpart with expert consultations on the project implementation, including technical know-how, strategies for achieving different breeding objectives, emerging new breeding techniques of strategic importance. A report on the project implementation assessment and recommendations for further action was completed for the IAEA.
During the visit, Prof. Shu also delivered a seminar entitled “Introduction to Genetics of Rice Mutation Breeding” to the rice breeders from major rice breeding centers of Thailand; explained the genetic principles and new technologies on mutation breeding. Further discussions were organized after the seminar with individual breeders who have different breeding objectives. Prof. Shu also discussed with Dr. Klakhaeng and Dr. Kankok (Thailand Institute of Nuclear Technology）about a joint research project on the genetic mechanism of electron beam mutation breeding in rice and reached a draft agreement of collaboration.
Professor Qingyao Shu visiting the rice germplasm in situ conservation fields in Thailand