In 1977, a promising rice breeder named M.A. Salam began his career at the Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI). Almost 30 years on, he is one of the country's most influential agricultural scientists, with rice varieties he has helped develop grown on over 4 million hectares--more than one-third of Bangladesh's entire rice-growing area.

Dr. Salam, now chief scientific officer and head of BRRI's Plant Breeding Division, today received the Senadhira Rice Research Award for 2006 at a ceremony at the International Rice Congress in New Delhi, India. He won the award for his outstanding contributions to the development of varieties for the rainfed lowlands of Bangladesh.

Ren Wang, deputy director general for research at the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), noted that Dr. Salam--who studied for his Ph.D. at IRRI in 1985-88--has devoted his career to the service of Bangladeshi rice farmers, in particular those in marginal and difficult production areas.

"Dr. Salam offers an excellent example of how international support for agricultural research directly benefits the national agricultural research systems, such as that of Bangladesh," said Dr. Wang.

As well as co-developing popular rice variety BR11--currently grown on more than 2 million hectares in Bangladesh--Dr. Salam had a strong hand in breeding 16 other varieties. These included several varieties for deepwater rice areas, one of which allowed farmers in low-lying areas to grow dry-season rice and thus dramatically increase their production. Dr. Salam is also involved in breeding submergence-tolerant, arsenic-tolerant, and iron-rich rice, as well as salt-tolerant rice varieties for coastal areas.

Just as important, Dr. Salam pioneered the use of farmer participatory breeding in evaluating breeding lines for unfavorable environments. This approach, in which scientists work hand-in-hand with farmers to choose promising lines, has advanced the development of varieties for saline and stagnant water conditions.

The award is named after Dharmawansa Senadhira, one of IRRI's most successful rice breeders, who tragically died in a traffic accident in Bangladesh in 1998.

IRRI has also announced the 2006 winners of the International Rice Research Notes (IRRN) Best Article Awards. IRRN celebrates its 30th birthday this year and, according to Dr. Wang, is one of IRRI's most important publications. "IRRN offers an important opportunity for rice researchers in developing countries to connect with each other and publish their own findings," he said. "As a forum for sharing information, IRRN helps advance rice-related knowledge and technology."

This year's winners, in five categories, are listed below. For more information about IRRN, visit www.irri.org/irrn. 

• Crop management and physiology
  Contribution of on-farm assessment of improved varieties and crop management to yield of deepwater rice
  A. Ghosh and B.N. Singh, Central Rice Research Institute, Cuttack, India (December 2005) 
• Soil, nutrient, and water management
  Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi associated with upland rice in a rotational shifting cultivation system
  S. Youpensuk and N. Yimyam, Graduate School, Saisamorn Lumyong, Biology Department, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University; B. Rerkasem, Agronomy Department, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand; and B. Dell, School of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Murdoch University, Perth 6150, Australia (December 2005)
• Pest science and management
  Endo- and ectoparasites of the Philippine rice field rat, Rattus tanezumi Temminck, on PhilRice farms
  M.M. Antolin, R.C. Joshi, L.S. Sebastian, L.V. Marquez, and U.G. Duque, Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice), Maligaya, Muñoz, Nueva Ecija 3119; and C.J. Domingo, College of Veterinary Science and Medicine, Central Luzon State University, Muñoz, Nueva Ecija 3120, Philippines (June 2006) 
• Genetic resources
  Dhanrasi, a new lowland rice variety with Oryza rufipogon genes for improving yield potential and resistance to biotic stresses
  T. Ram, Directorate of Rice Research (DRR), Rajendranagar, Hyderabad; N.D. Majumder, Indian Institute of Pulses Research, Kanpur; and B. Mishra, DRR, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad 500030, India (June 2006) 
• Agricultural engineering
  Effect of hermetic storage in the super bag on seed quality and milled rice quality of different varieties in Bac Lieu, Vietnam
  Diep Chan Ben, Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Bac Lieu Province; Phan Van Liem and Nguyen Tam Dao, Bac Lieu Seed Center, Bac Lieu Province, Vietnam; M. Gummert and J.F. Rickman, IRRI (December 2006) 

The International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) is the world's leading rice research and training center. Based in the Philippines and with offices in 10 other Asian countries, it is an autonomous, nonprofit institution focused on improving the well-being of present and future generations of rice farmers and consumers, particularly those with low incomes, while preserving natural resources. IRRI is one of 15 centers funded through the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR), an association of public and private donor agencies. Please visit the CGIAR website for more information.