Team:Yonsei Korea/Social Engagement
Human Practices
Centered On:
Connection
Community
Cooperation
As rice production is essential in Korea’s agriculture, our team aimed to research about rice blasts which is the enemy of rice yield. We have gone through both wet and dry lab research, but local consideration was in need as our research might not be suiting the local’s needs. As the human practice needs to be responsible for locals and reflect their needs, we contacted the farms in Gimje, where it is known for its open fields. We were able to get samples of diseased crops in advance and conduct an interview. The highlight will be the interview with a farmer there, which is summarized below.
- 1.
Introduction
A: Hi, my name is Kyung Cho, living in Gimje. I have been engaged in agriculture for 30 years, so I hope the interview could help you today. - 2.
Are there several crops suffering from rice blast?
A: A rice blast is like a cold for the crops. What is different from human beings is that it can occur in any vegetative period. For instance, when humans get chicken pox in their early age, they do not get chicken pox anymore. However, even if crops suffer from rice blast at their early age, they can suffer many times throughout their whole life span. - 3.
Which disease is similar to rice blast?
A: Similar disease is rhizoctonia solani, which is a disease that dries the leaves. This is due to supernutrition. Or if a typhoon hits, similar disease might occur and not be able to reproduce. - 4.
What’s the government guideline for rice blasts? (ex. initial response)
A: Government tries to disperse risk factors and prevent problems regarding rice supply. Thus, the public sector does not encourage farmers to grow only one crop. They encourage diversifying crops in case one specific crop causes problems.
Also, the government gives emergency alerts according to the weather forecast. For instance, if a typhoon is about to hit the area, the government notifies farmers to be prepared. Letting farmers control the pests when it is hot and humid is also the guideline. - 5.
Is rice blast related to regional characteristics?
A: Rice blast occurs in hot and humid areas due to overnutrition. If it is dry, rice blast does not occur often. Rice blast is also in relation to manures. If there is too much manure and use nitrogen fertilizer, rice blast occurs. - 6.
How often do you improve the rice? Why is improving the rice in need?
A: Not often, but if one type of rice is successfully improved, the popularity continues for a long time. Korea Rice & Variety service is responsible for improving the rice, and the office exists in different regions. For example, a rice type named ‘Sindongjin’ was improved 10 years ago, but it is still a steady-seller. - 7.
Is pesticide the only treatment for rice blast? Are there any environmental impacts due to this?
A: Pesticides are even used to prevent rice blast. It is important to control these. There are environmental impacts but it has been lessened compared to the past. - 8.
Is there any difference regarding the past and current way of dealing with rice blast?
A: In the past, prevention of the breeding and extermination of flies were challenging. There were specific days to provide remedy such as the end of June or in the middle of July. Currently, there are remedies to prevent rice blast in the initial stage. Also, pest control is possible via drones and helicopters, which only takes about 30 seconds. It costs money, but is an efficient way. - 9.
Is there a technology which can detect rice blast?
A: No, there is not.
We concluded that rice blast is crucial to rice production, and local farmers and public sectors are striving to win against these rice blasts. Although the technology has developed compared to the past, it seems to lack any technology which can detect rice blast in advance. So the proposed technology can help farmers detect rice blasts at an earlier stage or prevent environmental issues. Throughout application of our technology, we dream of a world of safe foods in community and a better quality of life for the farmers.
Yonsei_Korea is a convergent team of students based in Seoul, South Korea striving to create meaningful change utilizing synthtic biology in the iGEM 2021 Competition.