Rice: research to production

Course detail:  The first two weeks of the course will cover the following topics:

Module 1   Introduction to Rice and Rice Environments

1. Importance of rice in the world: Information on the importance of producing more high quality rice
2. Growth stages of rice: A review of the morphology and the growth stages of the rice plant
3. The rice environments: An introduction to the different rice ecosystems and environments

Module 2   Rice Varieties

1. Rice varieties: An introduction to the rice varieties grown worldwide and the characteristics and importance of each variety
2. IRRI rice breeding and seed variety development: An orientation to the concept of rice breeding and knowledge of the processes involved in developing improved rice varieties
3. Modern seed production technology and exchange: The management involved in producing quality seeds to attain higher yields and to offer consumers a superior product in the marketplace

Module 3   Rice Crop Establishment and Management

1. Land preparation: The principles and benefits of the different methods of land preparations that will suit local farms and improve crop growth
2. Crop establishment: The principles and different methods of establishing a rice crop
3. Water management: The importance of water in production and efficient usage of water
4. Integrated nutrient management: The techniques required to determine the appropriate amount of nutrients and the right time to apply fertilizer
5. Integrated pest management: Sustainable management of pests of rice crops with minimal use of chemicals to preserve the environment

Module 4  Post-production Management

1. Rice harvest management: The importance of proper and timely harvesting of mature crops and the different methods of harvesting
2. Post harvest handling and management: The proper handling and management of grain for safe storage to maintain excellent grain viability and quality

During the four modules, the participants will be introduced to the basics of rice research and to the role of IRRI as an international institution through interaction with IRRI scientists and orientation to the institute’s research facilities, equipment, and laboratories. An overview of IRRI’s research agenda will be interwoven throughout the sessions with time for discussion among participants about the evolving role of the institution.

The third week of the course will be directed towards getting the next generation of plant scientists positioned to ask important scientific questions of relevance to agriculture, energy and the environment, especially in the context of developing countries. This will be achieved through a series of one-day workshops during which participants are exposed to the frontiers of research by the IRRI and US science community, as well as hands-on practices in IRRI’s greenhouses and laboratories.  

Participants may also choose to attend or extend sessions/workshops on topics of special interest so that they get to know IRRI scientists and staff more deeply. The workshops will bedirected toward questions that are relevant to issues in the developing world with rice as a common theme. This aspect of the course may be used by participants to prepare for a longer-term stay in the future (10 weeks - 6 months) involving better defined research collaboration.

The one-day workshops will be organized once the specific participants and their interests are known but could include:

1. Plant Breeding: an introduction to IRRI’s plant breeding work and its applications across the region, including marker assisted breeding applications.
2. Genomics: in-depth exposure to IRRI’s mutant collections, genotyping facilities, phenotypic evaluation, stress induction methodologies.
3. The Gene Bank: IRRI’s role as the keeper of the world’s largest single-species germplasm collection, its investment in germplasm evaluation, distribution and utilization as well as current issues in intellectual property rights associated with genetic diversity.
4. Information technology: the IRRI information hub and bioinformatics research, applications to germplasm evaluation and plant improvement.

One day of the third week will be available for the participants to write-up their ‘course diary’, an evaluation of the course, and to detail a personal action plan of their continued engagement with rice following the course. The final day of the course will be dedicated to plenary sessions in which participants share their experiences and action plans.

Materials: The course will be supported by an e-learning CD which captures the content, methodology and assessment of the course. The e-learning course will also include pre-reading and preparatory exercises.

Networking: social/entertainment: Since an important aspect of the course is to ‘provide an opportunity to establish research collaborations within international research networks’, a strong social network will be developed between the participants and the research staff of IRRI. Dinners, shopping expeditions, cultural outings and a beach excursion are planned as part of the course structure. This will be achieved during weekends where participants will have a chance to relax, enjoy their stay at IRRI, and to get to know the host country, the Philippines.

Duration: The course will consist of three-weeks of intensive training at IRRI, Los Baños.  It is expected that participants will arrive and spend at least one-day relaxing prior to the course.  Activity after the course is over will involve submission of a report recording participants’ impressions of the course and follow-up involvement in networking with staff and participants.

Nature of research collaboration:

The Rice: research to production course will be developed and presented by the IRRI Training Center with contributions from IRRI and US scientists. The course represents a modification of the much acclaimed and highly successful Rice Production course that was taught for many years by IRRI Training Center.

The history of collaboration between IRRI and Cornell dates back to the founding of IRRI in the 1960’s, when the Cornell community helped build and staff the institute. Bob Chandler, IRRI’s first Director General, was recruited from Cornell and many other Cornell faculty, including the PI of this proposal, have served as IRRI scientists over the years. Thus, this initiative is built on a strong foundation and history of collaboration between these institutions.