Receives Outstanding Person of the Nation Award in Science and Technology

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Apichart Vanavichit received the Outstanding Person of the Nation Award for 2012  in Science and Technology

      Assoc. Prof. Apichart Vanavichit, lecturer in the Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Agriculture at Kamphaeng Saen, Kasetsart University (Director of the Rice Science Center and the Rice Gene Discovery Unit), led a team of Thai researchers to join 10 other countries in decoding the rice genome in the International Rice Genome Sequencing Project (IRGSP), and applied genome technology to gene discovery and rice breeding, achieving success quickly and adding new traits seamlessly to jasmine rice varieties. The key developments of this technology include the use of a gene that controls high-level production of the aroma compound 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline (2AP), which was discovered and patented for the first time in the world, and mapping the locations of the gene groups that control every target trait before breeding. From this point, the genetic base of Khao Dawk Mali rice was improved to tolerate flooding, and later to resist diseases and insects and more, while fully keeping the characteristics of Thai jasmine rice and without using genetic modification. This can be seen in the growing number of new high-yielding fragrant rice varieties resistant to disease and insects, especially the improvement of Khao Dawk Mali rice, the world-renowned signature fragrant rice.

           There are now Hom Mali 80 (flood-tolerant) and a Khao Dawk Mali rice that tolerates brown planthopper, bacterial leaf blight and flooding all at once (Hom Mali 84), helping prevent heavy damage. Because Khao Dawk Mali is photoperiod-sensitive, its flowering is limited to the short-day period, so rice lost to a disease outbreak means farmers cannot produce jasmine rice for the whole year, and Thai exports would be severely affected. This technology is therefore a success for Thai agriculture on the world rice stage. The discovery of the rice aroma gene is a source of pride for Thais as a world first; it has raised awareness of the importance of science and technology for rice breeding, and has stimulated Thai and world researchers to return to studying the function and control of aroma in rice and other plants widely.

          Assoc. Prof. Apichart Vanavichit is a researcher who can combine biotechnology with the breeding of Thailand's signature rice. With knowledge, ability, perseverance and diligence, he has devoted his time fully and continuously to research and has produced high-quality research of great value to academia and national development, a model researcher worthy of admiration. His work is widely accepted by academics, farmers and consumers; he leads rice biotechnology research at home and abroad and is considered a key figure in developing rice breeding technology.