"In-container rooting technology" by photoautotrophic cultivation

In a mechanism known as photo-autotrophism, plants produce sugars from carbon dioxide and water through the process of photosynthesis. Agri-biotechnology research laboratory conducts research on environments to maximize the photosynthetic capacity of plants in cultivation rooms with controllable light, CO2 concentration, and humidity.

Details of seedling production technology.

Details of seedling production technology

Analysis of rooting mechanisms using cutting-edge technology

To cope with plant varieties that are difficult to root under regular in-container cutting propagation technology, we use cutting-edge technology to analyze rooting factors from a variety of aspects such as, genetic level, metabolism level, and the plant hormone level. We are also undertaking a broad range of joint research projects with prominent research institutions in Japan.

Metabolic (metabolomic) analysis of the rooting process

Analysis of gene expression (microarray analysis) in the rooting process

Plant hormone analysis in the rooting process

Development of rooting accelerators

Based on the knowledge gained through the analyses of rooting mechanisms, we identified some rooting accelerators in cooperation with other research organizations and made conference presentations and applied for patents. Currently, we are actively pursuing practical application of these rooting accelerators to a number of plant species.

Application of rooting technology to seedling business

Our proprietary cutting propagation technology were utilized in eucalyptus afforestation. We are currently working on expanding this technology to various plants' seedling business. We confirmed rooting of more than 100 plant species so far.

Propagation of medicinal plants with our rooting technology

We applied our proprietary rooting technology to medicinal plants and successfully resulted in rooting of some medicinal plants. It is expected that efficient production of seedlings. And also, selective cultivation of elite lines which have high content of medicinal component is expected to come into practice.

New tea variety "Sun-Rouge"

In joint research with the National Agriculture and Food Research Organization, we have cultivated "Sun Rouge", a new variety of tea with high content of anthocyanins in its sprouts.
Our cutting propagation technology was a key element in the mass production of Sun Rouge.
Anthocyanins have received attention as a plant-derived functional ingredient with promising antioxidant and anti-eye strain actions. Sun Rouge will enable the simultaneous use of anthocyanins with general ingredients catechins. Therefore, creation of new demand of tea is expected. We are now working on analysing food functionality of Sun-Rouge with the aim of expanding the business into products including food supplements.

Sun Rouge, a new variety of tea with high content of anthocyanins