Long-Term Storage and Quality Improvement of Sweet Potatoes Enabled by Plasma Sterilization Technology — New Perspectives on Export Expansion and Food Security
In this research, we aim to extend the storage and distribution periods of fresh produce, such as sweet potatoes, by developing freshness-preservation technologies based on plasma sterilization. The project focuses on the miniaturization and optimal design of the equipment, as well as on elucidating the mechanisms underlying freshness preservation, followed by demonstration trials. Through these […]
Development of an Abnormal Weather–Resilient, Reduced-Fertilizer Cultivation Method through Epigenetic Regulation
Climate change has led to increasingly frequent droughts and heatwaves, making it difficult for conventional breeding approaches to keep pace with the rapid speed of environmental change affecting crop production. This project aimed to develop a new cultivation technology that enables crops to be grown under high-temperature and drought-stressed conditions with reduced fertilizer input and […]
Creation of Molecular Targeted Herbicides Effective Against Herbicide-Resistant Weeds
In recent years, the problem of herbicide-resistant weeds resulting from long-term herbicide use has become increasingly serious, necessitating the development of novel agrochemicals effective against resistant weeds. The new agrochemicals will be molecularly targeted herbicides that inhibit metabolic enzymes involved in amino acid biosynthesis. We will develop novel compounds identified through structure-based agrochemical discovery methods […]
Development of Genome Editing Technologies for Precise Control of Gene Expression Driven by AI
Genome editing technologies enable the rapid creation of new varieties, and in recent years there has been growing demand for diverse approaches beyond gene knockout–based methods, including genome editing techniques that increase or decrease gene expression levels. In response, we set a goal to establish genome editing technologies that induce desired changes in gene expression […]
Development of Potato Cyst Nematode–Resistant Tomato Varieties and Production of Decoy-Based Pesticides
Potato cyst nematodes (PCN) cause severe damage to solanaceous crops such as potatoes, tomatoes, and eggplants worldwide; however, no effective and sustainable solution has yet been established. We identified a putative biosynthetic intermediate of solanoeclepin A, a hatching stimulant secreted from the roots of solanaceous plants, and demonstrated its hatching-inducing activity, thereby opening a new […]
Smart Agriculture Implementation Support Service
We are developing a farm management planning support system that proposes tailor-made management improvement strategies based on smart agriculture management indicators derived from technical and operational data collected through smart agriculture demonstration farms. Through pilot implementation as a consulting service for large-scale agricultural corporations, we are enhancing customer satisfaction and expanding our client base. We […]
Commercializing an Acoustic Emission–Based Crop Cultivation Solution for Monitoring Plant Water Dynamics
We will develop low‑cost sensors that can be easily installed for acoustic emission (AE) measurement in greenhouse horticulture, and establish AE measurement technologies applicable to a wide range of plant species. Using AE‑based monitoring, we will quantitatively demonstrate improvements in crop production efficiency through optimized irrigation and fertilization control. These capabilities will be integrated into […]
Research and Development of High-Performance Biochar that Enables Both Carbon Sequestration in Farmland and Conversion to Organic-Certified Agriculture
In the development of high-performance biochar that simultaneously enables carbon sequestration in farmland and conversion to land suitable for organic farming, this project builds on the microbial consortia selected in Phase 0. We will improve the physical form of the biochar for large-scale application (e.g., evaluating pelletization) and validate application methods assuming mass deployment (e.g., […]
Development of a Next-Generation Agricultural Production Technology: the “Plant Drug Delivery System”
Development of a Nanoparticle Agent Database We will identify and develop optimal nanoparticle agents that function effectively by crop species and by plant tissue, and compile them into a comprehensive database. Development of Novel Agricultural Inputs Based on the Database (Nano-Designed Materials) Based on this database, we will develop new agricultural inputs incorporating nanoparticle agents […]
Research on Methods for the Discovery and Evaluation of Biostimulant Candidate Compounds
Biostimulants (BS) are defined as a broad range of substances, microorganisms, or their mixtures that, when applied to the plant growing environment, promote favorable physiological conditions in plants. In recent years, they have attracted increasing attention as sustainable agricultural inputs. However, the discovery and evaluation of biostimulant candidate compounds have been constrained by the lack […]
