Japan International Cooperation Agency

About: Japan International Cooperation Agency is a government organization based out in Tokyo, Japan. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Public health. The organization has 555 authors who have published 613 publications receiving 9536 citations.

Evaluation of an Agropastoral System Introduced into Soybean Fields in Paraguay: Effects on Soybean and Animal Production under Intensive Grazing Systems

Abstract: The effects of an agropastoral system on the production of soybean and wheat were investigated by comparing (from 2007 to 2009) agropastoral plots that had been reconverted from 4-year pasture (Guinea grass: Panicum maximum; 2003 to 2007) to crop cultivation, with control plots that had been continuously cropped over 13 years with soybean and wheat at CETAPAR-JICA. In 2003, Guinea grass pastures were converted from 10-year continuous cultivated soybean and wheat fields, and then grazed intensively from 2004 to 2007, while the control plots continued to be cultivated with soybean and wheat. Animal production in converted pastures was very high and the weight gain per hectare was 1,113 to 1,500 kg/ha over 3 years after introducing an intensive grazing system with supplemental feeding in dry season. The average daily gain was maintained at 0.554 to 0.621 kg/head/day despite a high stocking rate (4.5-6.0 UA/ha). However, after the reconversion in 2007, the soybean yields from 2008 to 2009 were 3.71 and 1.24 ton/ha, which were 1.02 and 1.43 times higher than those in the control plots, respectively. In 2008, the wheat yield was 2.72 ton/ha, the same as that in the control plots. Thus, we concluded that the agropastoral effects on the soybean and wheat yield were small after reconversion to intensive grazing. The reason for the small effect is likely to be the low supply of Guinea grass litter under high grazing pressure, which did not result in any accumulation of the organic matter in the soil.

Rice Blast Control Efficacy of Three Genes (Pib, pi21, and Pb1) Conferring Complete and Partial Resistance

Abstract: The rice blast control efficacy of three genes—complete resistance gene Pib in isogenic line ‘Koshihikari Toyama BL 3’ and partial resistance genes Pb1 in near-isogenic line ‘Koshihikari Aichi SBL’ and pi21 in a variety ‘Tomohonami’—was evaluated in pot and upland trials with spray inoculation of the blast isolate Ina 86-137 (Japanese race 007.0) or Ao 92-06-2 (Japanese race 337.1). The evaluation was conducted by assessing their leaf and panicle blast severity, and then comparing their severity with that of blasticide (probenazole or tricyclazole) applied ‘Koshihikari’ and three control varieties with different levels of partial resistance to blast, including ‘Koshihikari’. ‘Koshihikari Toyama BL3’ harboring Pib showed very high levels of efficacy with few leaf and panicle blast lesions in both trials. The efficacy of ‘Tomohonami’ having pi21 to leaf blast was also high and equal to or higher than that of the blasticide-applied ‘Koshihikari’ in both trials. However, ‘Tomohonami’ had no panicle blast control efficacy in the pot trial, although it showed high panicle blast reduction in the upland trial. The panicle blast control efficacy of ‘Koshihikari Aichi SBL’ with Pb1 was moderate, while its leaf blast reduction was low to moderate in both trials. For expansion of the leaf blast lesions with punch inoculation on the uppermost leaves of rice plants in the booting stage of the pot trial, the areas (length x width) of the lesions on ‘Koshihikari Toyama BL 3’ with Pib were the smallest and significantly different from those of all oth er lines and varieties, including probenazole-applied ‘Koshihikari’. The results showed the blast control efficacy of the three resistance genes Pib, Pb1, and pi21, and confirmed a quantitative reduction of blast severity with partial resistance genes Pb1 and pi21. Discipline: Plant disease Additional key words: blasticides, inoculation, isogenic/near-isogenic lines, Koshihikari, pot and upland trials

Species composition and structure of ex-burned heath forest in Danau Sentarum National Park, West Kalimantan

Abstract: The objective of the research was to know species composition and structure of ex-burned heath forest. Field research was carried out from 23 June to 5 July and 10 to 25 September 2004 on the foot-slope of Semujan Hill, Danau Sentarum National Park, West Kalimantan. Ten-sample units (SU) with each size 10 x 10 m are placed based on random sampling method. On each SU, trees with diameter i‚³ 2 cm cm were identified and the diameter (DBH) and height are recorded. Fourteen tree species were found within a 0.1 ha SU, consisting of 12 genus and 8 families. Tree density is exponentially decreased from trees with small diameter to trees with big diameter.Key words: species composition, forest structure, ex-burned heath forest, Danau Sentarum National Park, West Kalimantan.

Guide on diabetes and COVID-19 for healthcare professionals in Bangladesh

Abstract: The world is suffering from a pandemic of coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19), and people with diabetes mellitus (DM) are more vulnerable to the serious effects of the COVID-19. This interaction is alarming, considering the high transmission rate of COVID-19 and the global prevalence of DM. Considering the importance of the link between COVID-19 and DM, Bangladesh Diabetic Association has formed a panel of national and international experts in the field of public health, diabetes, and endocrinology to provide some evidence-based guidance for the prevention and care of people with DM during the COVID-19 pandemic.