This overseas travel was invaluable in establishing overseas contacts and colleagues in the critical areas of vegetative and mid-season low temperature damage.
Problems relating to low temperature are a shared problem throughout the world including Australia, Japan, Korea and Laos. While countries such as Laos are beginning to address problems relating to cooler conditions, countries such as Japan have a long history and good understanding of cold tolerance in rice. It is important that collaboration between the developed and developing world is encouraged to ensure worldwide food security. Interaction with scientists during this travel on the common problems relating to low temperature should continue in the future. The similarity of research objectives in participating countries means there could be great synergy by regular contact. This contact should be in 2 ways. The first is by the exchange of germplasm for low temperature tolerance testing, and the second is the exchange of scientists to compare observation, and techniques. Lessons can be learned from countries such as Korea that have had good success in screening for cold tolerance in cooler out-stations. If a flowering test is established for determining cold tolerance then it is possible for cultivars in Australia to be tested in cooler out-stations such as Canberra or Tumut where the shorter growing season will not impede screening. Alternatively screening cultivars with deep cool water has been successful in Japan and is currently being evaluated at Yanco Agricultural Institute in the 2000/01 season. It is recommended that collaboration between researchers at Yanco Agricultural Institute and international scientists be maintained through continued involvement in this ACIAR project.
Germplasm transfer and evaluation is important to overcome environmental constraints in rice growing areas throughout the world. The INGER network provides a good framework for exchange of genetic material between rice growing nations. There has been exchange of promising lines amongst Cambodia, Laos and Australia. In the 2000 rice season 10 promising cold tolerant varieties were sent by Mr Farrell and sown in the field trials at Laos. Mr Farrell is looking forward to seeing the results of cultivars grown under environmental conditions in Laos. Mr Farrell is expecting 20 varieties to be sent from Laos for testing in the 2001/02 rice season. It is recommended that the exchange of material with other countries be continued to build Australia's genetic resources.
