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Project for Development of Complex Technologies for Prevention and Control of Rubber Tree Leaf Fall Diseases

Bioresources

Republic of Indonesia

Project for Development of Complex Technologies for Prevention and Control of Rubber Tree Leaf Fall Diseases

Protect rubber trees from leaf fall diseases by using a multifaceted scientific approaches

Principal Investigator

- Group Director
  MATSUI Minami
  Center for Sustainable Resource Science, RIKEN
- Dr.
  Suroso Rahutomo
  Indonesian Rubber Research Institute Director

ODA Recipient Country

Republic of Indonesia

Research Institutions in Japan

RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science / Gifu University / RIKEN Center for Advanced Photonics (RAP) / Maebashi Institute of Technology

Research Institutions in Counterpart Country

Indonesian Rubber Research Institute / Universitas Indonesia

Adoption fiscal year

FY 2020

Research Period

5 Years

Overview of the Research Project

Connect rubber-producing countries and consuming countries through early-stage measures against rubber tree leaf fall diseases
Infection of rubber leaf fall diseases has been widely spread in Southeast Asian countries and causes serious damage to rubber production. Through cooperation with Indonesian Rubber Research Institute and Universitas Indonesia, we aim to exterminate the disease by chemical and microbial pesticides, establish a genome-assisted breeding technology, and detect infected areas in the early stages by using images from satellites and drones, and prevent leaf blight and control the spread of infections. Through this link between Japan and a resource-producing country, we will also produce research leaders who can contribute to breeding that takes advantage of modern science and technology as well as local resources.

Enabling stable supply of natural rubber that meets growing global demand
Southeast Asia supplies more than 90 percent of the world’s natural rubber. Because Southeast Asian rubber trees are reproduced by clonal propagation, they end up being infected with the same diseases. By sharing the technology we develop with countries that produce natural rubber, the project will contribute to realizing stable supplies of natural rubber that meet the world's demand and stable livelihoods for rubber farmers.