Current RESEARCH projects

Benefits from AMF symbiosis is dependent of plant-mycorrhiza-soil interaction. We investigate rice varieties and soil types from southern Thailand that obtain maximum benefits from Acaulospora morrowie, the first cultured AMF in our lab. We analyze mycorrhizal benefits in rice based on growth performance, nutrient accumulation, efficiency of photosynthesis, yield productivity and yield quality. Furthermore, we aim to characterize the effect of A. morrowie on rice stress tolerances such as drought and salt stresses which are the major problems in rice production especially in rain-fed rice cultivation.

AMF symbiosis is pivotal for plants to grow in nutrient-poor environments such as coastal sand dune vegetations and intensive crop fields. Moreover, indigenous AMF from several agroecosystems are valuable biological resources for agricultural uses, especially in production of AMF biofertilizers. We use small subunit of ribosomal DNA and T-RFLP to study AMF community in ecosystems and identify AMF species by their 1.8 kb SSU-ITS-LSU sequence. Nature soil potentially containing AMF spores are collected for AMF spore propagation by trap culture in greenhouse. At present, we study the AMF community in the coastal sand dune vegetation in Hatyai, Songkhla, Thailand, and the AMF community essential for mycorheterotrophic plants in Si Phang Nga national park, Phang Nga, Thailand.

Genome editing is the precise process for improvement of rice production and quality that ensure global food security. At the first step of genetic manipulation, we aim to establish genetic transformation system for landrace rice varieties in Sothern Thailand. We study callus induction and in vitro somatic embryogenesis in top ten commercial landrace indica rice varieties in southern Thailand.

Fertilizer has an impact on the cost of agricultural production and the value of agriculture products. Therefore, reduction in fertilizer cost and increase in fertilizer efficiency could enhance the net profit in agricultural industries. We collaborate this project with university researchers and private companies to develop new formulas of fertilizers and soil improvers, especially from natural products and wastes. We apply the basis of plant physiology to evaluate the efficiency of newly-designed fertilizers and optimize how to apply them in several economic plants.