Academics

Department of Plant Production Sciences

Last Update November 1, 2023

LAB. OF PLANT PHYSIOLOGY AND MORPHOLOGY

Prof. TANIGUCHI, Mitsutaka D. Agr.
Assoc. Prof. MITSUYA, Shiro D. Agr.
Asst. Prof. OI, Takao D. Agr.

Area of Research:
Studies from both aspects of structure and function on functional differentiation of plant cells and tissues, and response and tolerance to environmental stresses.

Research Keywords:
Rice, C4 plants, Photosynthesis, Salinity, Environmental stresses, Stress tolerance, Ultrastructure, Electron microscope

LAB. OF PLANT GENETICS AND BREEDING

Prof. NAKAZONO, Mikio D. Agr.
Assoc. Prof. TAKAHASHI, Hirokazu D. Agr.
Asst. Prof. AGATA, Ayumi D. Agr.

Area of Research:
Breeding, molecular genetical, molecular biological, and physiological researches related to the evolution, morphogenesis, development, and environmental stress tolerance of cultivated plant species.

Research Keywords:
Crop plants (rice, maize, wheat and soybean), Abiotic stress tolerance, Flooding, Root, Panicle, Molecular genetics, Molecular bleeding

LAB. OF CROP SCIENCE

Prof. KONDO, Motohiko D. Agr.
Assoc. Prof. YANO, Katsuya D. Agr.
Lecturer SUGIURA, Daisuke D. Sci.

Area of Research:
Physiological and ecological studies on crop production: nutrient acquisition and growth response to environment.

Research Keywords:
Crop productivity, Environmental stress, Nutrient acquisition, Sink‐source relationship, Symbiosis

LAB. OF HORTICULTURAL SCIENCE

Assoc. Prof. SHIRATAKE, Katsuhiro D. Agr.

Area of Research:
Physiological, biochemical, and molecular biological approaches to clarify the characteristics and growth of horticultural crops, i.e. flowers, vegetables, and fruit trees, to improve their quality and productivity

Research Keywords:
Horticultural crops, Molecular breeding, Genome editing, Multi‐omics, Metabolomics and metabolic engineering

LAB. OF PLANT PATHOLOGY

Prof. TAKEMOTO, Daigo D. Agr.
Assoc. Prof. CHIBA, Sotaro D. Agr.
Asst. Prof. SATO, Ikuo D. Agr.

Area of Research:
Physiological, biochemical and molecular‐biological researches on defense mechanisms of plants against plant pathogens, and interactions of plant pathogens and beneficial environmental microorganisms with host plants. Development of biocontrol measures and understanding of its mechanisms.

Research Keywords:
Plant disease resistance, Elicitor, Plant‐associated microbes, Plant and Fungal viruses, Biological control

LAB. OF PLANT IMMUNOLOGY

Assoc. Prof. YOSHIOKA, Hirofumi D. Agr.

Area of Research:
Studies on the molecgular mechanisms of plant immune response in plant‐pathogen interactions. Development of a plant vaccine based on the mechanisms.

Research Keywords:
NADPH oxidase, ROS burst, MAP kinase, Plant immunity, Plant pathology

LAB. OF INFORMATION SCIENCES IN AGRICULTURAL LANDS

Prof. MURASE, Jun D. Agr.
Assoc. Prof. DOI, Kazuyuki Ph. D. (Agronomy)
Asst. Prof. NISHIUCHI, Shunsaku Ph. D. (Agronomy)
Des. Asst. Prof. SAWADA, Kozue Ph. D. (Agronomy)

Area of Research:
Studies to improve agricultural production by analyzing information from field (crop DNA sequences, morphology, physiological characteristics, yield, soil, environment, etc.) by means of informatics/ data science

Research Keywords:
Agricultural informatics, Soil and rhizosphere microbiome, Genetic diversity, Breeding, Field informatics

LAB. OF FOOD ECONOMICS

Prof. TOKUDA, Hiromi D. Agr.
Assoc. Prof. TAKESHITA, Hironobu D. Agr.
Asst. Prof. MIURA, Satoshi M. Agr.

Area of Research:
Socioeconomic studies on food system, regional resource management and multifunctional roles of agriculture.

Research Keywords:
Agricultural Economics, Farm Management, Rural Resource Management, Food System

LAB. OF PLANT GENE FUNCTION

Prof. ASHIKARI, Motoyuki D. Agr.
Des. Assoc. Prof HOBO, Tokunori Ph. D.
Asst. Prof. NAGAI, Keisuke D. Agr.

Area of Research:
Studies on plant gene function and its application.

Research Keywords:
Rice, Stem elongation, Water tolerance, Molecular breeding

LAB. OF DEVELOPMENTAL AND SYSTEMS PLANT BIOLOGY

Prof. TSUJI, Hiroyuki D. Agr.
Assoc. Prof. YAMAUCHI, Takaki D. Agr.

Area of Research:
Studies on genomic information for develpment of useful traits of rice and creation of novel plant regulators.

Research Keywords:
Rice, QTL, GWAS, GA,Structural biology

LAB. OF PLANT GENOMICS AND BREEDING

Prof. SAZUKA, Takashi D. Sci.
Asst. Prof. OKADA, Satoshi D. Agr.

Area of Research:
Study on plant genomics and breeding to solve various problems of modern society, i.e. environment, energy, food problems, etc.

Research Keywords:
sorghum, energy crop, QTL, GWAS, heterosis

LAB. OF BIOINDUSTRY

Des. Prof. NOTAGUCHI, Michitaka D. Sci.
Des. Assoc. Prof. KUROTANI, Kenichi D. Agr.
Des. Assoc. Prof. KASAHARA, Ryushiro Ph. D

Area of Research:
Studies on plant grafting and systemic signaling in plants to improve plant resources for future sustainability.

Research Keywords:
Grafting, long distance signaling in plants, micro devices for plant science、GA, Structural biology

LAB. OF TROPICAL BIORESOURCES

Prof. EHARA, Hiroshi Ph. D.
Asst. Prof. NAKATA, Mana D. Agr.

Area of Research:
Exploring and evaluating the traits of tropical plant resources for sustainable agricultural development in the tropics responding to diversification of food demand and climate change.

Research Keywords:
Crops (Sago palm, Rice, Cowpea), Cultivation technique, Environmental stress

LAB. OF GENETIC INFORMATION FOR BIORESOURCES

Prof. INUKAI, Yoshiaki D. Agr.

Area of Research:
Aiming at stable crop production under climate change, we conduct research on the extraction and utilization of genetic information related to useful traits from bioresources.

Research Keywords:
Genetics, Breeding, Rice, Abiotic stress, Stress avoidance

LAB. OF PRACTICAL STUDIES IN AFRICA

Assoc. Prof. MAKIHARA, Daigo D. Agr.

Area of Research:
Research on environmental response of crop genetic resources and cultivation technology development for improving and stabilising crop production in Africa.

Research Keywords:
Africa, Crop, Cultivation technology, Practical study, Rice

LAB. OF PRACTICAL STUDIES IN ASIA

Assoc. Prof. ITO, Kasumi D. Agr.

Area of Research:
Studies on agriculture and rural developmet including natural resources management in Asia for better livelihoods, poverty reduction and food security

Research Keywords:
International Cooperation Official Development Assistance Agricultural and rural development