Abstract of Presentation at the Open Seminar
Forum for Nuclear Cooperation in Asia

Lecture 1: International Nuclear Cooperation and Contribution for Asian Countries
International Nuclear and Fusion Energy Affairs Division, Research and Development Bureau,
Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), JapanFor effective cooperation and contribution for peaceful use of nuclear technology in Asian
countries, we are conducting following three programs;
I) The Nuclear Researcher Exchange Program welcomes nuclear researchers from Asian
countries to Japan. In this program, Japanese research institutes/universities accept Asian
researchers studying and/or working in the field for the peaceful use of nuclear technology forup to 6 months. II) Instructor Training Program invites technical instructors of Asian countries
to Japan to participate in training courses for up to 8 weeks. The participants give lectures at
the Follow-up Training Course in their countries. They become excellent instructors by theaccumulation of teaching experiences year by year through the course. III) Forum for Nuclear
Cooperation in Asia (FNCA) is a framework of Asian international cooperation for peacefuluse of nuclear technology. Currently, 8 coordinated projects on various nuclear/radiation fields
such as industry, environment, healthcare, safety and security, are in progress by experts ofmember countries.
These three programs have synergy for the effective cooperation and contribution.
Lecture 2: Agricultural Efficacy of Radiation –Modified Carrageenan as Plant Growth
Promoter
Dr Lucille V. Abad, Philippine Nuclear Research Institute, Department of Science andTechnology, the Philippines
Degradation by radiation processing of polysaccharides is known to produce low molecularweight fragments. These radiation degraded polysaccharides can induce various kinds ofbioactivities such as growth promotion of plants.
Kappa carrageenans are hydrophilic polymers that comprise the main structuralpolysaccharides of numerous species of seaweed Eucheuma. They are composed of Dgalactose units linked alternately (1,3)-D-galactose-4-sulfated and (1-4)-3,6-anhydro-Dgalactose. Gamma irradiation of -carrageenan produces fragments with an Mw < 10,000
which increases yield in Pechay plants when applied either by foliar spraying or in hydroponics
condition. (Abad, et al., 2015).
Recent studies in the Philippines using field trials indicated improved agronomic traits with anincrease in yield of 19-87% and 16-51% against the usual farmer’s practice for mung bean andpeanuts, respectively.
Multi-location trials of around 5,000 ha rice field in different regions of the Philippines
indicated a dramatic increase in yield of 20- 30%. Increased resistance to tungro virus wasalso noted. Likewise, there was extensive root growth and sturdy stems that prevent lodging ofrice plant.
Semi-commercial production of radiation modified carrageenan by e-beam irradiation has
throughput of around 1,800 L / hr.
Lecture 3 Plant Growth Promotion of Chitin and Chitosan
Prof Hideo Kusaoke, Department of Environmental and Food Sciences, Fukui University ofTechnology, JapanProf Hisashi Kimoto, Department of Bioscience, Prefectural University
Plants produce chitinase and degrade chitin constituting the cell wall of pathogenic
microorganisms, and then degradation products of chitin with chitinase, chitinoligosaccharides are introduced into plant cells and promote plant growth by inducing disease1

Abstract of Presentation at the Open Seminar
Forum for Nuclear Cooperation in Asia

resistance. Glucans constituting cell walls of molds and yeasts as well as chitin also have theaction of plant growth promotion (PGP). Plants incorporate chitin- and glucanoligosaccharides called an elicitor into cells, and produce phytoalexin as an antimicrobial
substance induced by the elicitor. The phytoalexin secretes extracellularly and exhibits theresistance to pathogenic microorganisms.
In this study, we first describe the mechanism of elicitor activity showing disease resistanceinduced by chitin and glucan, and the method of measuring the elicitor activity. Next, wedescribe the application for PGP of chitin, deacetylated chitin (chitosan), and microorganisms
producing the chitinase.
Lecture 4: Effective Production of Plant Growth Promoter with Radiation Processing andVersatile Applications
Dr Nguyen Ngoc Duy, VINAGAMMA Center, VINATOM, Vietnam
Application of radiation processing to degrade natural polysaccharides such as chitosan,
alginate, β-glucan, carrageenan, using them as plant growth promoter in agriculture has been
considered as an efficient and convenient method due to several reasons, for instance: carryingout at room temperature, ease of process control, large scale production and environmentallyfriendly processing method. Large scale production of oligosaccharides by radiation processing
is briefly outline. The application of oligosaccharides typically oligo-alginate, oligo-chitosan,oligo-carrageenan, oligo-β-glucan, as plant growth promoter for rice, chili, soybean, etc. ispresented. Beside the productivity promotion effect, the content of bioactive substances suchas curcumin in turmeric, isoflavone in soybean seed, artemisinin in Artemisia annua L, isremarkably increased by the treatment of oligosaccharides as well. Furthermore,oligosaccharides also were applied as immunostimulants and growth performance foraquaculture and livestock farming. Applications of oligosaccharides as plant growth
performance, immunostimulants and growth performance for sustainable agriculture andaquaculture have been showed effectively economical benefit and therefore should be furtherdeveloped.
Lecture 5: Application of Super Water Absorbent developed by Radiation Processing toSandy Soil
Dr Mitsuhiro Inoue, Professor Emeritus, Tottori University, Japan
It is estimated that the world population will increase significantly by 2050, thereby putting
greater pressure on global food security. This will have a direct effect on agricultural waterusage, especially in dryland sandy soils, where water shortage is often the most limiting factor
determining the crop production. Cultivation technique that is based on appropriate soil andwater management is a key point in the agricultural production of the sandy soil, particularlyin the drylands. The introduction of small amount of frequent irrigation, the injection of soil
conditioner in order to raise water holding capacity, the application of mulch to topsoil forreducing soil surface evaporation are the available and effective water-saving techniques.
In this study, two soil conditioners, 1) a super absorbent polymer (SAP) used for paper diaper,and 2) a super water absorbent (SWA) developed by radiation processing technique wereapplied to Tottori dune sand. Water absorption and water holding capacities of sand-SAP andsand-SWA mixtures during wetting and drying process with different salt concentration ofNaCl solution were examined using a tea pack method. Results show that the water saving
effect of sand-soil conditioner mixtures were acceptable. However, it showed a sustainedrelease problem in which the water holding capacity fall with the time, and the influence ofsalinity was also pointed out. The application of soil conditioners to house cultivation of
tomato led to yield increase. The durability of the soil conditioners effect on sandy farmland2

Abstract of Presentation at the Open Seminar
Forum for Nuclear Cooperation in Asia

depends on the application method of the conditioners, such as mixture depth in the outer layer,
and the undergrounding of the root zone lower layer. The economics of its application to future
agriculture was also considered.
Lecture 6: Characterization of Bacillus Biofertilizer “Kikuichi” for Paddy RiceProf Tadashi Yokoyama, Institute of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture andTechnology, JapanWe developed Bacillus biofertilizer “Kikuichi” for paddy rice. This biofertilizer is a granule
type, and spores of Bacillus pumilus TUAT1 are absorbed by the granule having base materialof zeolite and diatomite. Size of granule is around 3 mm and 107 spores keep in one gram ofgranules. Quality of this biofertilizer can keep around 1 year at room temperature. WhenBacillus biofertilizer “Kikuichi” applies to rice seeds in nursery boxes, the seedlings show over
30% of increase of root growth such as root number and root weight of rice seedling against
the control plants without “Kikuichi”. When the rice plants with “Kikuichi” transplant to paddy
field, root growth are keeping in paddy field and promote nitrogen fertilizer uptake. These
inoculation effects induce an increase of tillers of treated rice plants, therefore, application of“Kikuichi” increase yields of brown rice at 10 to 20%. Rice plants applied “Kikuichi” promote
an efficiency of fertilizer utilization in order to develop root systems, therefore this property
directly connect to reduce amounts of fertilizer application.
Lecture 7: Trends of Biofertilizer in the Philippines
Ms Julieta A. Anarna, National Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Universityof the Philippines Los Baños, the Philippines
Biofertilizers or microbial inoculants are the products that contain efficient strains of beneficial
microorganisms. These potential biological fertilizers would play key role in crop production
which can be used as fertilizer to increase , as soil conditioner, reduce environmental
damage and cost effective inputs for the farmers by decreasing production cost and provide
other physiological benefits to crops.
Rhizobium, Azospirillium, Mycorrhiza, and P-solubilizing bacteria are examples of microbial
inoculants used as biofertilizers and as alternative inputs to meet the nutrient requirement ofcrops.
In the Philippines the sources of biofertilizers come from local producers (government andprivate sector) and from international market. The National Institute of Molecular Biology andBiotechnology (BIOTECH) University of the Philippines Los Baños conducted intensive
research and development on biofertilizers. The institute has produced wide arrays of microbial
inoculant products from Azospirillium, Mycorrhiza, Rhizobium, PGPR and Trichoderma
species.
A number of studies and researches conducted regarding biofertilizers have depicted themarketability and acceptability of biofertilizer among thousands of farmers in the country. The
active involvement of research institutions, private individuals and enterprises have favoredthe growth of the biofertilizer industry. Almost all of the biofertilizer products developed are
currently commercially available. Technology transfer was done with the government andprivate sector.
Lecture 8: Bio-(Organic) Fertilizer Development in Indonesia
Prof Dr Iswandi Anas, Faculty of Agriculture, Bogor Agricultural University (IPB), Indonesia
Intensive agriculture practice, using only artificial NPK fertilizers and chemical pesticides had
been reported to damage agriculture soils and caused serious environmental pollution in3

Abstract of Presentation at the Open Seminar
Forum for Nuclear Cooperation in Asia

Indonesia. To solve these problems, Ministry of Agriculture had launched various programs
such as promoting the use of organic and biofertilizer, issued regulation to control the qualityof commercial organic fertilizers, biofertilizers, bio-organic fertilizers as well as soilamendments, supporting the group of farmers to produce organic fertilizers by providing
necessary equipments etc.
In the period of 2010-2015 and follow by period 2015-2019, Ministry of Agriculture ofRepublic Indonesia has strongly supported the programmes to stimulate the use of organic
fertilizers, biofertilizers, bio-organic fertilizers and at the same time to reduce the rate ofapplication of artificial NPK fertilizers. Selection of the best biofertilizers and bio-organic
fertilizers for several important crops such as rice, maize, soybean, onion, chilli, sugarcane andpotato had been carried out.
On the other hands, researchers in several universities and research institutes collaborated with
National Atomic Energy (BATAN) had successfully showed that the sterilization of several
inoculants carriers using Co-60 Gamma Rays had improved the quality of biofertilizers andbio-organic fertilizers. The use of the biofertilizers and bio-organic fertilizers by farmers had
significant impact reduction of the rate of artificial NPK fertilizers. In the last few years, theuse of gamma irradiation for improving the quality of inoculant microbes also had beenreported.

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