Wednesday, September 14, 2016

Green Rice and the Mid Autumn Festival


The Vietnamese have kept their traditional culinary traditions alive and they eat green rice to celebrate the Mid Autumn Festival.  Immature rice kernels are roasted over a low flame and then pounded until they are flattened.  It has a pleasant sweet and nutty flavor and can be consumed in various ways.  The Vietnamese also make green rice cakes with mung beans and offer these to their ancestors during the Mid Autumn Festival.  Rice is an integral part of Asian life and it is wonderful that some cultures have kept their old traditions alive.

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Thursday, April 25, 2013

Some Photographs from the 1960s and 1970s


Dr. Shouichi Yoshida in the Philippines, 1968




Dr. Shouichi Yoshida with Dr. Keh Chi Ling inside the Phytotron, 1974


Dr. Shouichi Yoshida with Other IRRI Scientists in China, 1976

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

A Eulogy for Romeo M. Visperas


Romeo M. Visperas
(1946 - 2012)


It is with great regret that we must inform you that Romeo Visperas has passed away.    He volunteered many hours of his time to help The Shouichi Yoshida Memorial Fund scholars, and at this time, we would like to extend our heartfelt condolences to his family. 

Romeo Visperas was born in Mangaldan, Pangasinan on October 7, 1946.  He graduated from UPLB (University of the Philippines Los Baños) in 1970 with a BSA and received his MS in agricultural botany from the same university in 1975. 

Romeo started working with IRRI (International Rice Research Institute) in 1969 as a Research Aid in the Department of Plant Physiology.  He was promoted to Research Assistant in 1972 and Senior Research Assistant in 1976.  In 1984, he became Assistant Scientist and was further promoted to Senior Assistant Scientist in 1995. 

Romeo has an excellent academic record and has a long list of awards since his school days.  He was Salutatorian in Grade I, Valedictorian from Grades II – VI, and Valedictorian throughout his 4 years at Mangaldan High School.  In 1980, IRRI awarded him with the Outstanding Performance Award.  In 1994, IRRI awarded him with the Excellence Award.

Romeo Visperas was not only a good scientist, but a good man.  He is survived by his loving wife Rosenda V. Visperas and his children Rommel, Delfin, Roselle, and Romeo Visperas, Jr. 

May he always be remembered and honored in all our hearts.

Other Awards:

Certificate of Recognition for his distinguished career as an agricultural researcher at the International Rice Research Institute, College, Laguna.  Given in Mangaldan, Pangasinan on the 7th day of March 1979 in connection with the Town Fiesta Celebration.  Given by Macario G. Ydia, Municipal Mayor, Sofronio G. Padre, Chairman, Committee on Awards, and Roger A. Domagas Chairman, Executive Committee.

CSSP Best Paper Award for the paper “Enhanced grain yield potential in rice by increasing the number of high density grains” by B. Venkateswarlu, B.S. Vergara, F.T. Parao, and R.M. Visperas presented at the Second Annual Scientific Conference of the Federation of Crop Science Societies of the Philippines, 30 April-2 May 1986, La Trinidad, Benguet.

Mangaldan National High School Alumni Association, Mangaldan, Pangasinan hereby bestows this Award of Recognition upon Romeo Mercado Visperas, Assistant Scientist, IRRI, Los Baños, Laguna, Class 63 whose exemplary and meritorious achievements in Agriculture manifested through his intellectual pursuits, genuine feat and moral examples will serve as living landmarks for all alumni, thus setting a standard of performance and excellence worthy of commendation and emulation.  Given this 3rd day of March 1995 in the celebration of the MNHS Golden Jubilee.  Given by Dr. Gregorio T. de Guzman, Chairman, Committee on Awards and Mayor Benigno M. Gubatan, President and Chairman, Executive Committee on General Alumni Homecoming.

DA Secretary’s Award (R&D Paper Published in an Institute for Scientific Information – Current Content Journal) for the paper “Residual effects of nitrogen fertilization on foliar chlorophyll and yield of the succeeding rice crop” published in Philippine Agricultural Scientist, vol. 85, Year 2002 by Foad Moradi, Arcelia A. Alejar, Shaobing Peng and Romeo M. Visperas.  Presented by Luis P. Lorenzo, Jr., Secretary, DA and William C. Medrano, Director, DA-BAR during the 16th BAR Anniversary Celebration, Diliman, Quezon City, 9 October 2003.

Best Paper Award for the paper “Testing of aerobic rice in the Philippines; results of field experiments at IRRI” by Castañeda, A.R., B.A.M. Bouman, S. Peng, and R.M. Visperas presented at the 54th Philippine Agricultural Engineering Annual National Convention, April 19-22, 2004, Central Luzon State University, Muñoz, Philippines.

The CGIAR Science Award for Outstanding Scientific Article for “Rice yields decline with higher night temperature from global warming” published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) vol. 101, Year 2004, by Shaobing Peng, Jianliang Huang, John C. Sheehy, Rebecca C. Laza, Romeo M. Visperas, Xuhua Zhong, Grace C. Centeno, Gurdev S. Khush, and Kenneth G. Cassman.  Presented by Ian Johnson, Chairman, CGIAR, December 7, 2005, Marrakech, Morocco.

Co-author of “Rice yields decline with higher night temperature from global warming” published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) vol. 101, Year 2004, by Shaobing Peng, Jianliang Huang, John C. Sheehy, Rebecca C. Laza, Romeo M. Visperas, Xuhua Zhong, Grace C. Centeno, Gurdev S. Khush, and Kenneth G. Cassman and ranked 68th in “Discover” magazine’s top 100 science stories for 2004, January 2005.

Republic of the Philippines. Department of Education Region I, Division of Pangasinan II, Mangaldan National High School presents this Plaque of Appreciation to Romeo M. Visperas, Valedictorian, Class ’63, Senior Associate Scientist, CESD Division, International Rice Research Institute, in grateful recognition for his valuable time and efforts he shared to us as Guest of Honor and Speaker on its 65th Commencement Exercises with the theme “Changing Lives, Edukasyon ang Solusyon”, and for sharing with the 2010 graduates, his brilliant, distinct and objective views and ideas which have enlightened, inspired and encouraged them to become successful and productive citizens of the land.  Given this 31st day of march in the year of our lord two thousand and ten at Mangaldan National High School, Mangaldan, Pangasinan by Rosalino T. Agpalo, Ed. D., Principal IV and Viraluz S. Raguindin, CESO VI, CEO VI, Schools Division Superintendent.

Publications:

1.                  Vergara, B.S. and R.M. Visperas1969.  Studies on the responses of the rice plant to photoperiod.  V. Number of photoinductive cycles needed for panicle initiation and panicle emergence.  Philipp. Agric. 53:308-312.

2.                  Vergara, B.S., T.M. Chu, and R.M. Visperas1970.  Effect of temperature on the anthesis of IR8.  Intl. Rice Comm. Newsl.  19:11-17.

3.                  Vergara, B.S., R.M. Visperas, F. Canuto, A. Mazaredo, and T.M. Chu.  1971.  Physiological and morphological effects of temperature on IR8.  Pages 417-424 in Proc. Second Annual Scientific Meeting, Crop Sci. Soc. Philippines, Los Baños, Laguna.

4.                  Visperas, R.M., B.S. Vergara, and M.C. Palada.  1971.  Effect of the number of seedlings per hill, spacing and nitrogen level on seedling establishment and subsequent grain yield.  Pages 458-464 in Proc. Second Annual Scientific Meeting, Crop Sci. Soc. Philippines, Los Baños, Laguna.

5.                  Vergara, B.S., A.M. Mazaredo and R.M. Visperas1972.  Survival of rice seeds buried in flooded soils.  Pages 37-41 in Proc. Third Annual Scientific Meeting, Crop Sci. Soc. Philippines, Cagayan de Oro City.

6.                  Vergara, B.S., R.M. Visperas, and A.M. Mazaredo.  1972.  Establishment of dapog rice seedlings and grain yield.  Intl. Rice Comm. Newsl. 21(2):1-9.

7.                  Alluri, K., B.S. Vergara, and R.M. Visperas1973.  Observations on damage to rice leaves by strong winds.  SABRAO (Soc. Adv. Breed. Res. Asia Oceania) J. 5:129-132.

8.                  Visperas, R.M. and B.S. Vergara.  1973.  Scirpus maritimus L.: Growth characteristics and response to light duration and intensity.  Pages 229-245 in Proc. Fourth Annual Scientific Meeting, Crop Sci. Soc. Philippines, Cebu City.

9.                  Vergara, B.S., R.M. Visperas, K.A. Gomez, and K. Alluri.  1974.  Relation between leaf area and drought resistance in rice.  Pages 195-198 in Proc. Fifth Annual Scientific Meeting, Crop Sci. Soc. Philippines, Naga City.

10.              Vergara, B.S. and R.M. Visperas1975.  Effect of temperature on the growth duration of rice.  Pages 5/25-30 in Proc. Sixth Annual Scientific Meeting, Crop Sci. Soc. Philippines, Bacolod City.

11.              Vergara, B.S. and R.M. Visperas1975.  Science Principles in Rice Farming.  Science Education Center, University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City.  44 p.

12.              Visperas, R.M.  1975.  Autecology of Scirpus maritimus L.  MS thesis, University of the Philippines at Los Banos.  College, Laguna.  67 p.

13.              Vergara, B.S., A.M. Mazaredo, and R.M. Visperas1976.  Studies on volunteer rice plants in paddy field.  Grains J. 1(2):46-50.

14.              Vergara, B.S., J. Peralta, and R.M. Visperas1976.  "Salt solution" for selecting rice seeds - not worth it.  Crops & Soils 2(5):4, 15.

15.              Vergara, B.S., R. Visperas, J. Peralta, E. Shuwisitkul, S. Karin and S. Sophonsakulkaew.  1976.  Screening for kneeing ability.  Intl. Rice Res. Newsl. 2(1):3.

16.              Vergara, B.S., R. Visperas, J. Peralta, E. Shuwisitkul, S. Karin and S. Sophonsakulkaew.  1976.  Screening for kneeing ability.  Pages 123-124 in Proc. 1976 Deep-water Rice Workshop, November 1976, Thailand.  Int. Rice Res. Inst., Los Banos, Philippines.

17.              Vergara, B.S. and R.M. Visperas1976.  Increasing the efficiency of nitrogen fertilizer in rice.  Philipp. Biota 10(14):117-126.

18.              Vergara, B.S., R.M. Visperas, W.R. Coffman, R.L. Villareal, and E. Bacalangco.  1976.  Screening of the rice germ plasm for low temperature tolerance at different stages of growth.  SABRAO (Soc. Adv. Breed. Res. Asia Oceania) J. 8:97-104.

19.              Visperas, R.M. and B.S. Vergara.  1976.  Autecology of Scirpus maritimus L.  I. Growth characteristics and competition with rice.  Philipp. Weed Sci. Bull. 3:1-4.

20.              Visperas, R.M. and B.S. Vergara.  1976.  Autecology of Scirpus maritimus L.  II.  Effect of light, temperature, and moisture.  Philipp. Weed Sci. Bull. 3:15-29.

21.              Visperas, R.M. and B.S. Vergara.  1976.  Autecology of Scirpus maritimus L.  III.  Effect of shoot cutting on flowering.  Philipp. Weed Sci. Bull. 3:30-32.

22.              Vergara, B.S., K. Moody, and R.M. Visperas.  1977.  Autecology of Scirpus maritimus L.  IV.  Suggested control under field conditions.  Philipp. Weed Sci. Bull. 4:7-12.

23.              Vergara, B.S. and R.M. Visperasn.d.  President Marcos' Handbook for Farmers: Primer on Rice.  National Media Production Center.  71 p.

24.              Setabutara, C., B.S. Vergara, and R.M. Visperas1979.  Flowering response of deepwater rice varieties to photoperiod.  Pages 55-61 in Proc. 1978 Intl. Deepwater Rice Workshop.  Intl. Rice Res. Inst., Los Baños, Philippines.

25.              Vergara, B.S., J.K. Ahn, R.M. Visperas, G.S. Chung, and J.H. Lee.  1979.  Highlights of the Korea-IRRI collaborative program on rice cold tolerance.  Intl. Rice Res. Newsl. 4(3):12-13.

26.              Li, T.G., B.S. Vergara, and R.M. Visperas1980.  A method for testing cold tolerance of rice at early seedling stage.  Intl. Rice Res. Newsl. 5(5):13-14.

27.              Chen, J.C., R.M. Visperas, and B.S. Vergara.  1981.  Effect of ash on the cold tolerance of rice at seedling stage.  Intl. Rice Res. Newsl. 6(5):10.

28.              Li, Tai-Gui, B.S. Vergara, and R.M. Visperas1981.  Adaptability of rice cultivars to different temperature patterns.  Sci. Agric. Sin. 4:45-50.  (In Chinese with English summary).

29.              Li, T.G., R.M. Visperas, and B.S. Vergara.  1981.  Correlation of cold tolerance at different growth stages in rice.  Acta Bot. Sin. 23(3):203-207.  (Chinese summary).

30.              Chung, G.S., M.H. Heu, B.S. Vergara, J.D. Yea, G. Patena, and R.M. Visperas1982.  Selection for rice cold tolerance using grain yields versus phenotypic acceptability.  Intl. Rice Res. Newsl. 7(5):13-14.

31.              Vergara, B.S., J.H. Lee, G. Patena, J.D. Yea, and R.M. Visperas1982.  Rice panicle type for high grain yields in low temperature areas.  Intl. Rice Res. Newsl. 7(5):6-7.

32.              Ham, Y.S., J.H. Lee, B.S. Vergara, R.M. Visperas, and S.Y. Kim.  1983.  Low water temperature and sterility in rice.  Intl. Rice Res. Newsl. 8(2):22-23.

33.              Evans, L.T., R.M. Visperas, and B.S. Vergara.  1984.  Morphological and physiological changes among rice varieties used in the Philippines over the last seventy years.  Field Crops Res. 8:105-124.

34.              Sahu, G., R.M. Visperas, and B.S. Vergara.  1984.   Screening for shade tolerance in rice seedlings.  Intl. Rice Res. Newsl. 9(3):26-27.

35.              Vergara, B.S. and R.M. Visperas1984.  Adaptability and use of indica varieties in high latitude areas.  Pages 39-52 in Potential Productivity and Yield Constraints of Rice in East Asia, Proceedings of International Crop Science Symposium, 17-20 October, 1984.  Fukuoka, Japan.

36.              Kaw, R.N. and R.M. Visperas.  1986.  Evaluation of rice genotypes for cold tolerance at vegetative stage.  Intl. Rice Res. Newsl. 11(3):9-10.

37.              Kaw, R.N., R.M. Visperas, H.P. Moon, and J.D. Yae.  1986.  Estimates of combining ability for vegetative stage cold tolerance in rice.  Korean J. Breed. 18(1):48-52.  (Korean summary).

38.              Rasolofo, P.R., B.S. Vergara, and R.M. Visperas1986.  Screening rice cultivars at seedling stage and anthesis for low-temperature tolerance in Madagascar.  Intl. Rice Res. Newsl. 11(6):12-13.

39.              Venkateswarlu, B., F.T. Parao, R.M. Visperas, and B.S. Vergara.  1986.  Screening quality grains of rice with a seed blower.  SABRAO (Soc. Adv. Breed. Res. Asia Oceania) J. 18:19-24.

40.              Venkateswarlu, B., B.S. Vergara, F.T. Parao, and R.M. Visperas1986.  Enhancing grain yield potentials in rice by increasing the number of high density grains.  Philipp. J. Crop Sci. 11:145-152.

41.              Zapata, F.J., R.R. Aldemita, A.U. Novero, L.B. Torrizo, L.B. Magaling, A.M. Mazaredo, R.M. Visperas, M.S. Lim, H.P. Moon.  1986.  IRRI-Korea collaborative project for the development of cold-tolerant lines through anther culture.  IRRI Res. Pap. Ser. 118.  7 p.

42.              Zapata, F.J., L.B. Torrizo, R.R. Aldemita, A.U. Novero, A.M. Mazaredo, R.M. Visperas, M.S. Lim, H.P. Moon, and M.H. Heu.  1986.  Rice anther culture: a tool for production of cold tolerant lines.  Pages 773-780 in Rice Genetics, Int. Rice Res. Inst., Los Baños, Laguna.

43.              Venkateswarlu, B. and R.M. Visperas.  1987.  Source-sink relationships in crop plants.  IRRI Res Pap. Ser. No. 125.  19p.

44.              Venkateswarlu, B. and R.M. Visperas.  1987.  Solar radiation and rice productivity.  IRRI Res. Pap Ser. No. 129.  22p.

45.              Venkateswarlu, B., B.S. Vergara, and R.M. Visperas1987.  Influence of vegetative growth duration on grain grade.  Intl. Rice Res. Newsl. 12(1):4-5.

46.              Venkateswarlu, B., B.S. Vergara, and R.M. Visperas1987.  Influence of photosynthetically active radiation on grain density of rice.  Crop Sci. 27:1210-1214.

47.              Duc, D., R.M. Visperas, and B.S. Vergara.  1987.  Low temperature tolerance of traditional Vietnamese varieties.  Intl. Rice Res. Newsl. 12(4):21.

48.              Visperas, R.M., R. Furoc, R.A. Morris, B.S. Vergara, and G. Pateña.  1987.  Flowering response of Sesbania rostrata to photoperiod.  Philipp. J. Crop Sci. 12(3):147-149.

49.              Xu, X.B., B.S. Vergara, R.M. Visperas and H.Z. Han.  1987.  Further observations on the "contraction stage of microspore" in the rice (Oryza sativa L.).  J. South China Agric. Univ. 8(1):19-24.  (In Chinese with English summary).

50.              Mnzava, M.N.W., B.S. Vergara, and R.M. Visperas1988.   Effect of low temperature on selected rice varieties in Tanzania.  Intl. Rice Res. Newsl. 13(4):14-15.

51.              Kaw, R.N., H.P. Moon, J.D. Yae, and R.M. Visperas.  1989.  Estimates of combining ability for cold tolerance at reproductive stage in rice.  Korean J. Breed. 21(3):188-195.

52.              Vergara, B.S., B. Venkateswarlu, M. Janoria, J.K. Ahn, J.K. Kim, and R.M. Visperas.  1990.  Rationale for a low-tillering rice plant type with high density grains.  Philipp. J. Crop Sci. 15:33-40.

53.              Dai, Q., B.S. Vergara and R.M. Visperas1990.  Amelioration of cold injury in rice (Oryza sativa L.): Improving root oxidizing activity by plant growth regulators.  Philipp. J. Crop Sci. 15:49-54.

54.              Arain, A., B.S. Vergara, and R.M. Visperas1990.  Seed density in relation to seedling quality and crop establishment in Oryza sativa L.  Philipp. J. Crop Sci. 15(3):137-145.

55.              Vergara, B.S., B. Venkateswarlu, M. Janoria, J.K. Ahn, J.K. Kim, and R.M. Visperas.  1991.  Rationale for a low-tillering rice plant type with high-density grains.  Pages 39-53 in Direct Seeded Flooded Rice in the Tropics, Intl. Rice Res. Inst., Los Baños, Laguna.

56.              Dai, Q.J., J.H. Xiong, R.M. Visperas, and B.S. Vergara.  1993.  Response of rice (Oryza sativa L.) cultivars from China to low temperature stress.  Philipp. J. Crop Sci. 18(2):99-106.

57.              Xiong, J.H. Q.J. Dai, R.M. Visperas, and B.S. Vergara.  1993.  Physiological screening of rice for low temperature tolerance.  Intl. Rice Res. Notes 18(2):20-21.

58.              Alejar, A.A., T.S. Park, B.S. Vergara, and R.M. Visperas1995.  The effect of source-sink imbalance on rice leaf senescence and yield.  Pages 723-726 in P. Mathis (ed.), Photosynthesis: from light to biosphere.  Proceedings of the Xth International Photosynthesis Congress, Montpellier, France, 20-25 August 1995.

59.              Mallik, S., A.K. Aguilar, B. Venkateswarlu, R.M. Visperas, and B.S. Vergara.  1995.  Influence of temperature on grain density of rice.  Oryza 32:250-253.

60.              Yin, X., M.J. Kropff, G. Mclaren, and R.M. Visperas.  1995.  A nonlinear model for crop development as a function of temperature.  Agric. For. Meteorol. 77:1-16.

61.              Garcia, F.V., S. Peng, H.C. Gines, R.C. Laza, A.L. Sanico, R.M. Visperas, and K.G. Cassman.  1996.  Chlorophyll-meter based nitrogen management improves nitrogen use efficiency of irrigated rice in farmer’ fields.  Pages 187-190 in R. Ishii and T. Horie (eds.), Crop Research in Asia: Achievements and Perspective.  Proc. Second Asian Crop Science Conference, 21-23 August 1995, Fukui, Japan.

62.              Huang, S., Q. Dai, S. Peng, A.Q. Chavez, M.L.L. Miranda, R.M. Visperas and B. S. Vergara.  1996.  Influence of supplemental ultraviolet-B on indoleacetic acid and calmodulin in the leaves of rice (Oryza sativa L.).  Plant Growth Regulation 21:59-64.

63.              Peng, S., F.V. Garcia, H.C. Gines, R.C. Laza, M.I. Samson, A.L. Sanico, R.M. Visperas and K.G. Cassman.  1996.  Nitrogen use efficiency of irrigated tropical rice established by broadcast wet-seeding and transplanting.  Fert. Res. 45(2):123-134.

64.              Peng, S., F.V. Garcia, R.C. Laza, A.L. Sanico, R.M. Visperas, and K.G. Cassman.  1996.  Increased N-use efficiency using a chlorophyll meter on high-yielding irrigated rice.  Field Crops Res. 47:243-252.

65.              Peng, S., J. Yang, F.V. Garcia, R.C. Laza, R.M. Visperas, A.L. Sanico, A.Q. Chavez, and S.S. Virmani.  1998.  Physiology-based crop management for yield maximization of hybrid rice.  Pages 157-176 in S.S.Virmani, E.A. Siddiq, and K. Muralidharan (eds.) Advances in Hybrid Rice Technology, Proc. Third International Symposium on Hybrid Rice, Directorate of Rice Research, Hyderabad, 14-16 November 1996, Hyderabad, India.  International Rice Research Institute, P.O. Box 933, Manila, Philippines.

66.              Ying, J., S. Peng, Q. He, H. Yang, C. Yang, R.M. Visperas, and K.G. Cassman.  1998.  Comparison of high-yield rice in a tropical and subtropical environment.  I. Determinants of grain and dry matter yields. Field Crops Res. 57:71-84.

67.              Ying, J., S. Peng, G. Yang, N. Zhou, R.M. Visperas, and K.G. Cassman.  1998. Comparison of high-yield rice in a tropical and subtropical environment.  II. Nitrogen accumulation and utilization efficiency. Field Crops Res. 57:85-93.

68.              Peng, S., R.C. Laza, G.S. Khush, A. L. Sanico, R.M. Visperas, and F.V. Garcia.  1998.  Transpiration efficiencies of indica and improved tropical japonica rice grown under irrigated conditions.  Euphytica 103:103-108.

69.              Visperas, R.M., S. Peng, G.S. Khush, R. Ishii, and S. Akita.  1998.  Improving the grain-filling percentage of new plant type rice.  Pages 471-477 in H.Y. Lu, J.M. Sung, and C.H. Kao, eds., Proceedings of the 3rd Asian Crop Science Conference, Taichung, Taiwan, April 27-May 2 1998.

70.              Zhong. X. S. Peng, J.E. Sheehy, H. Liu, and R.M. Visperas.  1999.  Parameterization, validation and comparison of three tillering models for irrigated rice in the tropics.  Plant Prod. Sci. 2(4):258-266.

71.              Peng, S., A.L. Sanico, F.V. Garcia, R.C. Laza, R.M. Visperas, J.P. Descalsota, and K.G. Cassman.  1999.  Effect of leaf phosphorus and potassium concentration on chlorophyll meter reading in rice.  Plant Prod. Sci. 2(4):227-231.

72.              Yang, J.C, S.B. Peng, R.M. Visperas, Q.S. Zhu, and S.L. Gu.  1999.  Relationship between zeatin and zeatin riboside contents and grain filing of rice.  Chinese Rice Res. Newsl. 7(3):11.

73.              Zhong, X., S. Peng, J.E. Sheehy, H. Liu and R.M. Visperas. 1999.  Effects of leaf N concentration and leaf area index on determining rice tillering.  Chinese Rice Res. Newsl. 7(4):8-9.

74.              Yang, J.C., S.B. Peng, R.M. Visperas, Q.S. Zhu, and S.L. Gu.  1999.  Grain filling patterns of new plant type of rice.  Chinese Rice Res. Newsl. 7(4):10-11.

75.              Peng, S., R.C. Laza, R.M. Visperas, A. L. Sanico, K.G. Cassman, and G.S. Khush.  2000.  Grain yield of rice cultivars and lines developed in the Philippines since 1966.  Crop Sci. 40:307-314.

76.              Yang, J.C., S.B. Peng, R.M. Visperas, A. L. Sanico, Q.S. Zhu, and S.L. Gu.  2000.  Grain filling pattern and cytokinin content in the grains and roots of rice plants.  Plant Growth Regulation 30(3):261-270.

77.              Sanico, A. L., S. Peng, R.C. Laza, and R.M. Visperas2002.  Effect of seedling age and seedlings per hill on snail damage in irrigated rice.  Crop Protection 21:137-143.

78.              Visperas, R.M. and S. Peng.  1999.  The rice plant.  In S. Leong and P.S. Teng (eds).  A Colour Handbook of Pests, Diseases, and Disorders of Rice.  Manson Publishing, London (in press)

79.              Yang, J.C, S.B. Peng, S.L. Gu, R.M. Visperas, and Q.S. Zhu.  2001.  Changes in zeatin and zeatin riboside content in rice grains and roots during grain filling and the relationship to grain plumpness.  Acta Agron. Sin. 27(1):35-42.  (In Chinese w/ English summary)

80.              Yang, J.C., S.B. Peng, S.L. Gu, R.M. Visperas, and Q.S. Zhu.  2001.  Changes in activities of three enzymes associated with starch synthesis in rice grains during grain filling. Acta Agron. Sin. 27(2):157-164.  (In Chinese w/ English summary)

81.              Laza, Ma. R.C., S. Peng, A.L. Sanico, R.M. Visperas, and S. Akita.  2001.  Higher leaf area growth rate contributes to greater vegetative growth of F1 rice hybrids in the tropics.  Plant Prod. Sci. 4(3):184-188.

82.              Moradi, F., A.A. Alejar, S. Peng, and R.M. Visperas2002.  Residual effects of nitrogen fertilization on foliar chlorophyll and yield of the succeeding rice crop.  Philipp. Agric. Sci. 85(4):343-349.

83.              Castañeda, A.R., B.A.M. Bouman, S. Peng, and R.M. Visperas.  2002.  The potential of aerobic rice to reduce water use in water-scarce irrigated lowlands in the tropics.  Pages 165-176 in B.A.M. Bouman, H. Hengsdijk, B. Hardy, P.S. Bindraban, T.P. Tuong, and J.K. Ladha, (eds.) Water-wise Rice Production. Proceedings of the International Workshop on Water-wise Rice Production, 8-11 April 2002, Los Baños, Philippines.  Los Baños (Philippines): International Rice Research Institute.

84.              Yang, J., S. Peng, Z. Zhang, Z. Wang, R.M. Visperas, and Q. Zhu.  2002.  Grain and dry matter yields and partitioning of assimilates in japonica/indica hybrid rice.  Crop Sci. 42:766-772.

85.              Zhong, X., S. Peng, J.E. Sheehy, R.M. Visperas, and H. Liu.  2002.  Relationship between tillering and leaf area index: Quantifying critical leaf area index for tillering in rice.  J. Agric. Sci. (Cambridge) 138:269-279.

86.              Kwak, T.S., M.H. Lee, and R. Visperas.  2003.  Varietal difference of rice yield related characters for the germplasm utilization and value added (GUVA) elite lines at the International Rice Research Institute.  J. Korean. Soc. Int. Agric. 15(1):71-78.  (In Korean with English abstract)

87.              Peng, S., J. Yang, R.C. Laza, A.L. Sanico, R.M. Visperas and T.T. Son.  2003.  Physiological bases of heterosis and crop management strategies for hybrid rice in the tropics.  Pages 153-170 in S.S. Virmani, C.X. Mao, and B. Hardy, eds., Hybrid Rice for Food Security, Poverty Alleviation and Environmental Protection, Proceedings 4th International Symposium on Hybrid Rice, Hanoi, Vietnam 14-17 May 2002.

88.              Castañeda, A.R., B.A.M. Bouman, S. Peng, and R.M. Visperas.  2004.  Testing of aerobic rice in the Philippines; results of field experiments at IRRI.  Pages 145-161 in Proceedings of the 54th Philippine Agricultural Engineering Annual National Convention, April 19-22, 2004, Central Luzon State University, Muñoz, Philippines.

89.              Castañeda, A.R., B.A.M. Bouman, S. Peng, and R.M. Visperas.  2004.  Testing of aerobic rice in the Philippines; results of field experimentation at IRRI.  Philipp. Agric. Mech. Bull. 11(1):24-35.

90.              Peng, S., J. Huang, J.E. Sheehy, R.C. Laza, R.M. Visperas, X. Zhong, G.S. Centeno, G.S. Khush, and K.G. Cassman.  2004.  Rice yields decline with higher night temperature from global warming.  Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 101(27):9971-9975.

91.              Fallah, A., R.M. Visperas, and A.A. Alejar.  2004.  The interactive effect of silicon and nitrogen on growth and spikelet filling in rice (Oryza sativa L.).  Philipp. Agric. Sci. 87(2):174-177.

92.       Belder, P., B.A.M. Bouman, J.H.J. Spiertz, S. Peng, A.R. Castañeda, and R.M. Visperas.  2005.
            Crop Performance, nitrogen and water use in flooded and aerobic rice.  Plant & Soil 273: 167-182.

93.              Bouman, B.A.M., S. Peng, A.R. Castañeda and R.M. Visperas.  2005.  Yield and water use of 
            irrigated tropical aerobic rice systems.  Agric. Water Mgt. 74:87-105.

94.              Peng, S., J. Huang, J.E. Sheehy, R.C. Laza, R.M. Visperas, X. Zhong, G.S. Centeno, G.S. Khush, and K.G. Cassman.  2005.  Rice yields decline with higher night temperature from global warming.  Page 46-56 in E.D. Redoña, A.P. Castro, and G.P Llanto, eds., Rice Integrated Crop Management Towards a RiceCheck System in the Philippines.  Proceedings of the First National Workshop on Rice Integrated Crop Management, 4-5 May 2005, PhilRice, Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija, Philippines.

95.              Peng, S., B. Bouman, R.M. Visperas, A. Castañeda, L. Nie, and H.K. Park.  2006.  Comparison between aerobic and flooded rice in the tropics: Agronomic performance in an eight-season experiment.  Field Crops Res. 96:252-259.

96.              Islam, M. S.; S.B. Peng, R.M. Visperas, N. Ereful, M.S.U. Bhuiya, and  A.W. Julfiquar.  2007.  Lodging-related morphological traits of hybrid rice in a tropical irrigated ecosystem. Field Crops Res. 101(2): 240-248.

97.              Nie, L.X., S. Peng, B. A. M. Bouman, J.L. Huang, K.H. Cui, R.M. Visperas, and H.K. Park.  2007  Solophos fertilizer improved rice plant growth in aerobic soil.  J. Integrated Field Sci. 4:11-16.

98.              Yang, W.H., S.B. Peng, R.C. Laza, R.M. Visperas, and M.L. Dionisio-Sese.  2007.  Grain yield and yield attributes of new plant type and hybrid rice. Crop Science 47(4):1393-1400.

99.              Nie, L.X., S. Peng, B.A.M. Bouman, and R.M. Visperas.  2007.  Alleviation of soil sickness caused by aerobic monocropping: Responses of rice plant to soil oven-heating and nutrient supply.  International Workshop on Aerobic Rice.  Beijing, China.

100.          Nie, L.X., S.B. Peng, B.A.M. Bouman, J.L. Huang, K.H. Cui, R.M. Visperas, and H.K. Park. 2007. Alleviating soil sickness caused by aerobic monocropping: responses of aerobic rice to soil oven-heating. Plant Soil 300(1/2): 185-195.

101.          Yang, W.H.; S.B. Peng, M.L. Dionisio-Sese, R.C. Laza, and R.M. Visperas. 2008. Grain filling duration, a crucial determinant of genotypic variation of grain yield in field-grown tropical irrigated rice. Field Crops Res. 105(3): 221-227.

102.          Nie, L.X., S.B. Peng, B.A.M. Bouman, J.L. Huang, K.H. Cui, R.M. Visperas, and J. Xiang. 2008. Alleviating soil sickness caused by aerobic monocropping: responses of aerobic rice to nutrient supply. Field Crops Res. 107: 129-136.

103.          Yang, Woonho, Shaobing Peng, Rebecca C. Laza, Romeo M. Visperas, and Maribel L. Dionisio-Sese. 2008. Yield gap analysis between dry and wet season rice crop grown under high-yielding management conditions. Agron J. 100(5):1390-1395.

104.          Nie, L. X., Peng, S. B., Bouman, B. A. M., Huang, J. L., Cui, K. H., Visperas, R. M., and Xiang, J. 2009. Alleviating soil sickness caused by aerobic monocropping: responses of aerobic rice to various nitrogen sources. Soil Sci. Plant Nutr. 55(1): 150-159.

105.          Xiang, J., V.R. Haden, S. Peng, B.A.M. Bouman, R.M. Visperas, L. Nie, J Huang, and K. Hui. 2009. Improvement in nitrogen availability, nitrogen uptake and growth of aerobic rice following soil acidification. Soil Sci. Plant Nutr. 55:705-714.

106.          Ao, H., S. Peng, Y. Zou, Q. Tang, and R. M. Visperas.  2010. Reduction of unproductive tillers did not increase the grain yield of irrigated rice.  Field Crops Res. 116:108-115.

107.          Peng, S., J. Huang, K.G. Cassman, R.C. Laza, R.M. Visperas, and G.S. Khush.  2010.  The importance of maintenance breeding: A case study of the first miracle rice variety-IR8.  Field Crops Res. 119:342-347.

108.          Haden, V.R., J. Xiang, S. Peng, B.A.M. Bouman, R. Visperas, Q.M. Kettering, P. Hobbs, and J.M. Duxbury. 2011. Relative effects of ammonia and nitrite on the germination and early growth of aerobic rice. J. Soil Sci. Plant Nutr.

109.          Yuan, Weiling, Shaobing Peng, Cougui Cau, Parminder Virk, Danying Xing, Yunbo Zhang, Romeo M. Visperas, and Rebecca C. Laza.  2011.  Agronomic performance of rice breeding lines selected based on plant traits or grain yield.  Field Crops Res. 121:168-174.











Saturday, November 10, 2012

Charity Dinner 2012



The annual charity dinner for the Shouichi Yoshida Memorial Fund was held at Namaste Kathmandu on November 9.  Starting this year, it has become a much more casual and intimate affair than it has ever been.  A few of our loyal donors, volunteers and friends, who have selflessly given us their time and resources over the decades, congregated at this Nepalese restaurant in Kichijoji, Tokyo.


The evening was full of good food, song, dance and warm conversation.

A night to remember...

The Shouichi Yoshida Memorial Fund would like to thank everyone who has tirelessly and generously helped open new opportunities for children from economically challenged families. A special thanks to Patricia McGahan for providing us with the photos in this post.

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

New Email Address for The Shouichi Yoshida Memorial Fund

The email address for making inquiries and sending in applications to The Shouichi Yoshida Memorial Fund has changed.   Please send all inquiries to Ms. Anilyn Maningas at amaningas@irri.org or irritraining@irri.org.

We will do our best to spread this information to sites we do not control, but as you can understand this can be difficult sometimes.  If you see the previous email address posted somewhere, please help us pass on the new email address.

Thank you again, for all your help!

Monday, November 21, 2011

Shouichi Yoshida Memorial Fund: Manuel Esguerra - IRRI

It gives us special pleasure that one of our former scholars now works for the International Rice Research Institute. We hope that his inspiring story will inspire you to pursue higher education in agriculture. Please go here to see if you qualify for the scholarship.