Headline
Prof. Chen Mengshan from CAAS Meets with Dr. Javier Gracia-Garza from AAFC
Prof. Chen Mengshan, Secretary of the Leading Party Group of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS) met with the delegation led by Dr. Javier Gracia-Garza from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) on November 10th, 2017. The two sides engaged in in-depth talk on Sino-Canada collaboration in agricultural science and technology, and capacity building among other topics. This was the return visit following CAAS delegation’s visit of AAFC last September.
Prof. Chen Mengshan reviewed the meeting with Dr. Javier Gracia-Garza during his visit of AAFC with his delegation. During the last meeting, the two sides reviewed achievements on platform co-building and collaboration projects along with talent cultivation since the formal agreement of cooperation signing in 2012; after that both sides renewed a signing of MoU for a comprehensive collaboration purpose in the agricultural science and technology sector, defining a direction for future collaboration.
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CAAS Partnered New Zealand, Australia and Indonesia for Cooperation in Agricultural Science and Technology
At the invitation of the New Zealand National Academy of Agricultural Sciences; Massey University; the Australian Natural Resources Management South (NRM South); University of Tasmania; the National Academy of Agricultural Sciences of Indonesia; and the Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR), Prof. Tang Huajun, President of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS) visited the above research agencies with a delegation from CAAS from November 22nd to December 1st, 2017. The delegation opened up official cooperation between CAAS and the New Zealand National Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Massey University, Australian National Natural Resources Council, University of Tasmania and the Indonesian National Academy of Agricultural Sciences and the CIFOR. The existing cooperation between CAAS and the above-mentioned units in the field of sustainable development of agriculture and the environment, the building of a veterinary joint laboratory platform and joint personnel training was promoted. The visit also helped the technical achievements represented by veterinary drugs and vaccines go global, harvesting the signing of seven MoUs.
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Research Update
The Rice AAA-ATPase OsFIGNL1 is Essential for Male Meiosis
Meiosis is crucial in reproduction of plants and ensuring genetic diversity. Meiosis is a critical step in gametogenesis, during which two rounds of cell division follow a single round of DNA replication, ending with formation of four haploid cells. Disturbing any step of this progress leads to severe dysfunction of meiotic cells, including aberrant chromosomes, abnormal pairing of homologs, reduction of chiasma frequency, and infertility. Although several genes involved in homologous recombination and DNA repair have been reported, their functions in rice (Oryza sativa) male meiosis remain poorly understood.
Recently, researchers at Key Laboratory for Zhejiang Super Rice Research and State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology, China National Rice Research Institute (CNRRI) of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS) have acquired progress on molecular mechanism of male sterility in rice. In this study, CNRRI scientists successfully identified a complete male sterility mutant Osfignl1. The rice Osfignl1 mutant exhibited normal vegetative growth, but failed to produce seeds and displayed pollen abortion phenotype. Read more >>
Recently, researchers at Key Laboratory for Zhejiang Super Rice Research and State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology, China National Rice Research Institute (CNRRI) of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS) have acquired progress on molecular mechanism of male sterility in rice. In this study, CNRRI scientists successfully identified a complete male sterility mutant Osfignl1. The rice Osfignl1 mutant exhibited normal vegetative growth, but failed to produce seeds and displayed pollen abortion phenotype. Read more >>
Nitrogen Metabolism in Adaptation of Photosynthesis to Water Stress in Rice Grown under Different Nitrogen Levels
Recently, a paper named Nitrogen Metabolism in Adaptation of Photosynthesis to Water Stress in Rice Grown under Different Nitrogen Levels reported by Jin Qianyu's research team from China National Rice Research Institute (CNRRI) of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS) was published on the Frontiers in Plant Sciences. The roles of N metabolism in the adaptation of photosynthesis to water stress in rice were investigated in this paper.
Photosynthesis is one of the physiological processes that is easily impacted by water stress. The majority of assimilated N in plants is also invested in photosynthetic machinery, but there is ongoing debate concerning the role of N metabolism in the adaptation of photosynthesis to water stress in rice. Read more >>
Photosynthesis is one of the physiological processes that is easily impacted by water stress. The majority of assimilated N in plants is also invested in photosynthetic machinery, but there is ongoing debate concerning the role of N metabolism in the adaptation of photosynthesis to water stress in rice. Read more >>
“Two-florets Spikelet” As a Novel Resource has the Potential to Increase Rice Yield
Recently, the research on rice floret number was achieved by a research team led by Professor Qian Qian from China National Rice Research Institute of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS). The paper “Two-florets spikelet” as a novel resource has the potential to increase rice yield analyzed the regulation of floret number in rice, which laid a foundation for molecular breeding of rice high production.
The grain number per panicle (floret number) is an important factor of grain yield. Presently, it is difficult to increase the grain number by increasing the branch number or grain density in China, so it is necessary to find new ways to increase the grain number per panicle. In fact, another important factor (floret number in a single spikelet) which controlled the grain number per panicle was rarely focused because a normal rice spikelet has one fertile floret and produces one seed. Read more >>
The grain number per panicle (floret number) is an important factor of grain yield. Presently, it is difficult to increase the grain number by increasing the branch number or grain density in China, so it is necessary to find new ways to increase the grain number per panicle. In fact, another important factor (floret number in a single spikelet) which controlled the grain number per panicle was rarely focused because a normal rice spikelet has one fertile floret and produces one seed. Read more >>
Echinochloa crus-galli Genome Analysis Provides Insight into Its Adaptation and Invasiveness as a Weed
A new research progress was achieved by research teams led by Professor Guo Longbiao from China National Rice Research Institute (CNRRI) of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS) and Professor Fan Longjiang from Zhejiang University. A new understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying the extreme adaptation and invasiveness of the hexaploid species Echinochloa crus-galli (E. crus-galli), a pernicious weed in agricultural fields worldwide was acquired.
E. crus-galli is one of the most serious agricultural weeds in the world. Barnyardgrass (E. crus-galli) and rice belong to Gramineae, both have similar biological characteristics like rapid growth rates, plant type, prolonged dormance and others. That is the reason why it is very difficult to control the paddy fields associated with Barnyardgrass via manual weeding. Paddy weeding is currently largely dependent on chemical herbicides. Read more >>
E. crus-galli is one of the most serious agricultural weeds in the world. Barnyardgrass (E. crus-galli) and rice belong to Gramineae, both have similar biological characteristics like rapid growth rates, plant type, prolonged dormance and others. That is the reason why it is very difficult to control the paddy fields associated with Barnyardgrass via manual weeding. Paddy weeding is currently largely dependent on chemical herbicides. Read more >>
A New Method for Efficient and Convenient Plant Genetic Transformation Created by CAAS Scientists
The scientific research teams of Institute of Environment and Sustainable Development in Agriculture (IEDA) and Biotechnology Research Institute of Chinese Academy of Agriculture Sciences (CAAS) have conducted the joint research and developed a new method for plant genetic transformation with high-throughput, convenient operation and wide purposes by using magnetic nanoparticles as gene carriers. Their study makes important progress in the research on the nano-carrier gene delivery and genetic mediated systems, developing a new direction of nano-biotechnology research. The relevant research results were published online in the authoritative academic journal Nature Plants on November 27th, 2017.
The development of a new efficient genetic transformation method has always been one of the hotspots in the fields of genetic engineering, molecular biology and genetic breeding. Read more >>
The development of a new efficient genetic transformation method has always been one of the hotspots in the fields of genetic engineering, molecular biology and genetic breeding. Read more >>
White Leaf and Panicle 2, Encoding a PEP-associated Protein, is Required for Chloroplast Biogenesis under Heat Stress in Rice
Recently, an important progress on new regulatory mechanism of chloroplast biogenesis under higher temperature stress was achieved by a research team led by Professor Hu Peisong from China National Rice Research Institute of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS).
The plastid-encoded RNA polymerase (PEP) plays an important role in the transcription machinery of mature chloroplasts, which is coated by additional proteins such as PEP-associated protein (PAPs) to build a larger chloroplast-specific PEP complex. Previous investigations in Arabidopsis suggested that PAPs displayed potential functions in DNA/RNA metabolism, PEP complex protection and redox regulation; PAPs also affect the activity and integrity of the PEP complex to further regulate the chloroplast transcriptional machinery. However, details of its function remain elusive in rice. Read more >>
The plastid-encoded RNA polymerase (PEP) plays an important role in the transcription machinery of mature chloroplasts, which is coated by additional proteins such as PEP-associated protein (PAPs) to build a larger chloroplast-specific PEP complex. Previous investigations in Arabidopsis suggested that PAPs displayed potential functions in DNA/RNA metabolism, PEP complex protection and redox regulation; PAPs also affect the activity and integrity of the PEP complex to further regulate the chloroplast transcriptional machinery. However, details of its function remain elusive in rice. Read more >>
International Cooperation Update
CAAS Vice President Prof. Wu Kongming Meets with Delegation of Bioversity International
On November 21th, 2017, Prof. Wu Kongming, Vice President of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS) met with the delegation of Bioversity International led by Marton-Lefèvre, Julia, Chair of Bioversity International Board of Trustees and Tutwiler, M. Ann, Director General of Bioversity International, and exchanged views with them on strengthening scientific cooperation in agricultural biodiversity.
Prof. Wu Kongming noted that since 1970s, the two sides have conducted fruitful collaborations in crop germplasm resources exploration, protection and utilization, talent cultivation, academic exchanges and other areas. China has always attatched great importance to taking advantage of biodiversity in promoting sustainable agricultural development and is planning to make full use of science and technology to propel the implementation of rural vitalization strategy as well as to achieve sustainable environmental and ecological development. Read more >>
Prof. Wu Kongming noted that since 1970s, the two sides have conducted fruitful collaborations in crop germplasm resources exploration, protection and utilization, talent cultivation, academic exchanges and other areas. China has always attatched great importance to taking advantage of biodiversity in promoting sustainable agricultural development and is planning to make full use of science and technology to propel the implementation of rural vitalization strategy as well as to achieve sustainable environmental and ecological development. Read more >>
CAAS Vice President Prof. Mei Xurong Meets with French CIRAD Delegation
Prof. Mei Xurong, Vice President of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS) met with the visiting delegation from CIRAD (Centre de Coopération Internationale en Recherche Agronomique pour le Développement, known as French Research and Development Center for Agricultural International Cooperation), led by President Michel Eddi on November 13rd, 2017. The two sides exchanged ideas on further deepening partnership in agricultural science and technology.
Prof. Mei extended a warm welcome to the delegation and gave a brief introduction of CAAS and its latest development. He noted that CAAS has partnership with many French scientific research institutes over the years, such as French National Institute for Agricultural Research (INRA) and French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety (ANSES). Read more >>
Prof. Mei extended a warm welcome to the delegation and gave a brief introduction of CAAS and its latest development. He noted that CAAS has partnership with many French scientific research institutes over the years, such as French National Institute for Agricultural Research (INRA) and French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety (ANSES). Read more >>
CAAS’ Promotes Cooperation with International Agencies and European Countries in Agricultural Science and Technology
From November 10th to 19th, 2017, Prof. Wan Jianmin, Vice President of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS) along with the delegation he led, paid visits to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Wageningen University, the Spanish National Institute for Agriculture and Food Research and Technology (INIA) and University of Barcelona, in Austria, Holland and Spain respectively. The delegation exchanged views in-depth on cooperation in food and agricultural applications of nuclear technology, biotechnology, crop germplasm resources exchange, environment and animal waste disposal, and agricultural machinery.
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CAAS Meets with Cuba Delegation for Sericulture and Moringa Cooperation
Prof. Wang Hanzhong, Vice President of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS) met with a senior Sericultural and Moringa delegation led by Madame Maria Del Carmen, former Minister of Agriculture of Cuba on October 29th, 2017. The two sides held in-depth talks on sci-tech cooperation and communication in Sericultural sector among others. Mr. Miguel Angel Ramirez Ramos, Cuban Ambassador to China, was present at the meeting.
Prof. Wang extended his welcome to the delegation. He stated that, China and Cuba have been enjoying long-standing trust and friendship. CAAS would like to further communication with Cuba, unfold in-depth partnership and co-advance development of agriculture of the two countries. After an brief introduction and latest development of CAAS, Prof. Wang noted that CAAS would like to prioritize partnership with Cuba in Sericulture, Husbandry and Grains, to help Cuba build its agricultural sci-tech capacity in an all-dimensional manner. Read more >>
Prof. Wang extended his welcome to the delegation. He stated that, China and Cuba have been enjoying long-standing trust and friendship. CAAS would like to further communication with Cuba, unfold in-depth partnership and co-advance development of agriculture of the two countries. After an brief introduction and latest development of CAAS, Prof. Wang noted that CAAS would like to prioritize partnership with Cuba in Sericulture, Husbandry and Grains, to help Cuba build its agricultural sci-tech capacity in an all-dimensional manner. Read more >>
CAAS Meets with French INRA for Deepening Agricultural Cooperation
On December 5th, 2017, Prof. Tang Huajun, President of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS) met with Mr. Philippe Mauguin and the delegates from French National Institute for Agricultural Research (INRA). The two sides exchanged ideas on deepening partnership in agricultural science and technology.
Prof. Tang introduced the general information and the latest progress of CAAS to the French delegations. He said that, the cooperation and exchange between CAAS and INRA can be traced back to the 1980s. The two academies are very similar in terms of type of organization, research fields and personnel composition, and have the natural advantage of cooperation. Over the past few decades, the two academies have initiated fruitful cooperation in areas such as crop genomics, plant protection and food safety, joint research platform building, project cooperation research and personnel exchanges. Read more >>
Prof. Tang introduced the general information and the latest progress of CAAS to the French delegations. He said that, the cooperation and exchange between CAAS and INRA can be traced back to the 1980s. The two academies are very similar in terms of type of organization, research fields and personnel composition, and have the natural advantage of cooperation. Over the past few decades, the two academies have initiated fruitful cooperation in areas such as crop genomics, plant protection and food safety, joint research platform building, project cooperation research and personnel exchanges. Read more >>
Events
The 7th China-EU Food Agriculture and Biotechnology Task Force Meeting Held in Shenzhen
Co-organized by Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS) and European Commission, 7th China-EU Food Agriculture and Biotechnology (FAB) Task Force Meeting was successfully held in Shenzhen from November 28th to November 29th, 2017. Prof. WU Kongming, Vice President of CAAS and Ms. Nathalie Sauze-Vandevyver, Director of Quality, Research & Innovation, Outreach at Directorates-General of Agriculture, European Commission, as the co-chairs of China-EU FAB Task Force addressed opening remarks at the meeting. The representatives from Economy Trade and Information Commission of Shenzhen Municipality, China Science and Technology Exchange Center (CSTEC) also made speeches at the opening. Dr. ZHANG Huijie, Deputy Director General of International Cooperation Department of CAAS took the chair of the whole meetings. An activity of China-EU FAB Flagship Initiative Info Day was held as a side-event during the session.
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IEDA Participates in EU Horizon 2020 Programme
Recently, the “Coordination of International Research Cooperation on Soil Carbon Sequestration in Agriculture” (CIRCASA) under the EU Horizon 2020 Programme , applied by the Innovation Team of GHG Emission, Mitigation and Carbon Sequestration, and the Innovation Team of Environment Engineering for Livestock of the Institute of Environment and Sustainable Development in Agriculture (IEDA) of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), obtained the approval from the EU. The objective of this project is to strengthen agricultural soil carbon sequestration, evaluate the role of soil carbon sequestration in mitigating and adapting to climate change, and improve the capacity to address climate change, through cooperation and communication between scientists from different countries.
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Inauguration Ceremony of Sino-Indonesia Joint Laboratory for the Prevention and Control of Avian Diseases held in Indonesia
On November 29th, 2017, the Inauguration Ceremony of Sino-Indonesia Joint Laboratory for the Prevention and Control of Avian Diseases was held in Bogor, Indonesia.
Dr. Bu Zhigao, Director of Harbin Veterinary Research Institute of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS) and Mr. Huang Wenlie, Director of PT Biotis Orima Agrisindo, signed the MOU witnessed by Prof. Tang Huajun, President of CAAS, Dr Gong Xifeng, Director General of Department of International Cooperation of CAAS, Mr. Afnan Malay, Senior consultant of Indonesia Ministry of Agricultre, and Mr. Fu Chaoyang, CEO of Harbin Weike Biotechnology Development Company and all the other guests from China and Indonesia. After the signing ceremony, Prof. Tang, together with Mr. Afnan Malay and Dr. Bu unveiled the plaque for the joint laboratory. Read more >>
Dr. Bu Zhigao, Director of Harbin Veterinary Research Institute of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS) and Mr. Huang Wenlie, Director of PT Biotis Orima Agrisindo, signed the MOU witnessed by Prof. Tang Huajun, President of CAAS, Dr Gong Xifeng, Director General of Department of International Cooperation of CAAS, Mr. Afnan Malay, Senior consultant of Indonesia Ministry of Agricultre, and Mr. Fu Chaoyang, CEO of Harbin Weike Biotechnology Development Company and all the other guests from China and Indonesia. After the signing ceremony, Prof. Tang, together with Mr. Afnan Malay and Dr. Bu unveiled the plaque for the joint laboratory. Read more >>
GSCAAS and Murdoch University Reaches Agreement on Collaborative PhD Training
Prof. Liu Daqun, President of Graduate School of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (GSCAAS) met with a senior delegation from Murdoch University, Australia led by its Acting Vice Chancellor, Prof. David Morrison, on Tuesday November 7th, 2017.
President Liu first expressed his welcome to Prof. Morrison and his delegation for their visit. He pointed out that the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS) and Murdoch University have their respective strengths and complement in agricultural research and education, as well as many other areas, which provide a solid foundation and broad prospects for collaboration. He suggested GSCAAS and MU to combine their distinctive features and advantages to promptly commence the implementation of the Collaborative Program. Read more >>
President Liu first expressed his welcome to Prof. Morrison and his delegation for their visit. He pointed out that the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS) and Murdoch University have their respective strengths and complement in agricultural research and education, as well as many other areas, which provide a solid foundation and broad prospects for collaboration. He suggested GSCAAS and MU to combine their distinctive features and advantages to promptly commence the implementation of the Collaborative Program. Read more >>
Thailand’s Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives Visits CNRRI
On 4th November 2017, Mrs. Chutima Bunyapraphasara, Thailand’s Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives, visited China National Rice Research Institute (CNRRI) of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS). Prof. Hu Peisong, Deputy Director General of CNRRI, met with the seventeen-member delegation.
Prof. Hu delivered a welcome speech to Mrs. Chutima Bunyapraphasara. After introducing CNRRI in brief, Hu reviewed past achievements in bilateral cooperation and expressed his willingness to further cooperate with the rice sector in Thailand by tapping into respective advantages. Read more >>
Prof. Hu delivered a welcome speech to Mrs. Chutima Bunyapraphasara. After introducing CNRRI in brief, Hu reviewed past achievements in bilateral cooperation and expressed his willingness to further cooperate with the rice sector in Thailand by tapping into respective advantages. Read more >>