Emeritus Professor Shu Fukai

Emeritus Professor

School of Agriculture and Food Sustainability
Faculty of Science

Overview

Professor Shu Fukai obtained his BAgSci (Biological Science) from Tokyo University. He then went on to undertake his PhD Studies at Adelaide University on a study of canopy photosynthesis in subterranean clover. This was followed with postdoctoral studies at the University of California, Davis. He spent 3 years at Macquarie University as a tutor in Biological Sciences. He then joined UQ as an academic staff member. Much of Prof. Fukai’s research at UQ has focused on crop physiological understanding of genotypic variation in abiotic stress resistance and of different cropping systems. During his time at UQ he has supervised many postgraduate students and has been the School Postgraduate Coordinator for the past 5 years.

Research Interests

  • Cropping intensification in SE Asia
    This research has been funded from ACIAR since 1992 when we examined rice variety improvement program in Thailand and Laos. Subsequent phases have included rice improvement strategy; breeding strategies for rainfed lowland rice in Laos and Cambodia; as well as low temperature problems in Laos and Australia.These phases involved characterization of the physical environment, genotype responses to adverse conditions such as drought, low temperature and low soil fertility, comparison of different selection strategies, and development of direct seeding. In subesquent work we have examined agronomic management in lowland rice-based cropping systems in Laos and Cambodia with a focus on introducing non-rice crops such as maize, soybean and mungbean into the croping system.Our current ACIAR project (2014-18) is focused on mechanization and value adding for diversification of lowland cropping systems in Lao PDR and Cambodia.
  • Cold tolerance in rice
    A RIRDC funded rice project 'Cold tolerant traits and QTLs for improved efficiency of rice breeding program' has commenced in late 2012 where we examine low temperature tolerance in rice, mostly targeting the NSW rice industry. The major objective of the project is to improve understanding of cold tolerance in terms of underlying physiological mechanisms and the molecular basis (genomics) of traits involved in the maintenance of cold tolerance.

Research Impacts

Much of Prof Fukai’s research at UQ has focused on physiological understanding of tropical crops in particular rice. The major research themes include the development of sound rice based cropping systems for the rainfed lowland in the Mekong region, particularly Thailand, Laos and Cambodia. Another major research theme is to examine the physiological adaptation of genotypes for adverse growing conditions, particularly drought, low temperature, salinity, frost and low soil N, for the cereal crops rice, sorghum, wheat and barley, as well as Cynodon species.

Some major research achievements and impacts include:

• Development of drought screening for rainfed lowland rice

• Establishment of sound double cropping systems in rainfed lowlands in SE Asia

• Understanding of magnitude and mechanisms of cold tolerance in rice

• Development of sound direct seeding method for rice in Laos

• Contribution to release of rice varieties such as VTE450-2 in Laos and elsewhere

Qualifications

  • Doctor of Philosophy, University of Adelaide
  • Bachelor of Agricultural Science, University of Tokyo

Publications

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Supervision

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Publications

Book

  • K. S. Fischer, R. Lafitte,, S. Fukai, G. N. Atlin and B. Hardy eds. (2003). Breeding Rice for Drought-Prone Environments. Los Baños, Philippines: International Rice Research Institute.

Book Chapter

  • Fukai, Shu and Wade, Len J. (2021). Rice. Crop Physiology Case Histories for Major Crops. (pp. 44-97) edited by Victor O. Sadras and Daniel F. Calderini. London, United Kingdom: Elsevier . doi: 10.1016/b978-0-12-819194-1.00002-5

  • Sareth, Chea, Cramb, Rob and Fukai, Shu (2020). The role of irrigation in the commercialisation of rice farming in southern Cambodia. White Gold: the commercialisation of rice farming in the Lower Mekong Basin. (pp. 261-289) edited by Rob Cramb. Singapore: Palgrave Macmillan. doi: 10.1007/978-981-15-0998-8_13

  • Temesgen, Abeya, Fukai, Shu and Rodriguez, Daniel (2017). Intercropping in sustainable maize cultivation. Achieving sustainable cultivation of maize - Volume 2: Cultivation techniques, pest and disease control. (pp. 203-225) edited by Dave Watson. Cambridge, United Kingdom: Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing.

  • Fischer, Ken S., Fukai, Shu, Kumar, Arvind, Leung, Hei and Jongdee, Boonrat (2011). Phenotyping rice for adaptation to drought. Drought phenotyping in crops: From theory to practice. (pp. 213-244) edited by Monneveux Philippe and Ribaut Jean-Marcel. Texcoco, Mexico: CGIAR Generation Challenge Programme.

  • Fukai, Shu, Basnayake, Jaya and Makara, Ouk (2009). Drought resistance characters and variety development for rainfed lowland rice in southeast asia. Drought Frontiers in Rice: Crop Improvement for Increased Rainfed Production. (pp. 75-89) World Scientific Publishing Co.. doi: 10.1142/9789814280013_0005

  • Fukai, Shu and Basnayake, Jayampathi W.M. (2008). Drought resistance characters and variety development for rainfed lowland rice in Southeast Asia. Drought Frontiers in Rice: Crop Improvement for Increased Rainfed Production. (pp. 75-89) edited by R. Serraj, J. Bennett and B. Hardy. Manila, Philippines: World Scientific.

  • Basnayake, J. W. M., Fukai, S, Sipaseuth,, Schiller, J and Monthathip, (2006). Advances in agronomic research in the lowland rice environments of Laos. Rice in Laos. (pp. 349-369) edited by J.M. Schiller, M.B. Chanphengxay and B. Linquist and S. Appa Rao. Manila, Philippines: IRRI and ACIAR.

  • Basnayake, J. W. M., Inthavong, T., Kam, P., Fukai, S, Schiller, J and Chanphengxay, (2006). Climatic diversity within the rice environments in Laos. Rice in Laos. (pp. 47-64) edited by J.M. Schiller, M.B. Chanphengxay and B. Linquist and s. Appa Rao. Manila, Philippines: IRRI and ACIAR.

  • Linquist,, Trosch,, Phouynyavong,, Pandey,, Fukai, S, Basnayake, J. W. M., Guenat, and Douangsavang, (2006). Montane paddy rice: opportunities for increasing food security in the highlands of Laos. Rice in Laos. (pp. 431-453) edited by J.M. Schiller, M.B. Chanphengxay and B. Linquist and S. Appa Rao. Manila, Philippines: IRRI and ACIAR.

  • Ouk, M., Fukai, S., Fischer, K. S., Basnayake, J., Cooper, M. and Nesbitt, H. (2004). Drought response index for identifying drought resistant genotypes for rainfed lowland rice in Cambodia. Water in agriculture. (pp. 203-214) edited by V. Seng, E. Craswell, S. Fukai and K. Fischer. Canberra, ACT Australia: Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research.

  • Fischer, K. S., Atlin, G. N., Blum, A., Fukai, S., Lafitte, R. and Mackill, D. (2003). About this manual. Breeding Rice for Drought-Prone Environments. (pp. 1-4) edited by K. S. Fischer, R. Lafitte, S. Fukai, G. Atlin and B. Hardy. Philippines: International Rice Research Institute.

  • Fischer, K. S. and Fukai, S. (2003). How rice responds to drought. Breeding Rice for Drought-Prone Environments. (pp. 32-36) edited by K.S. Fischer, R. Lafitte, S. Fukai, G. Atlin and B. Hardy. Philippines: International Rice Research Institute.

  • Mackill, D., Fukai, S. and Blum, A. (2003). Indirect selection for physiological traits for drought tolerance. Breeding Rice for Drought-Prone Environments. (pp. 49-54) edited by K.S. Fischer, R. Lafitte, S. Fukai, G. Atlin and B. Hardy. Philippines: International Rice Research Institute.

  • Fischer, K. S., Fukai, S., Lafitte, R. and McLaren, G. D. (2003). Know your target environment. Breeding Rice for Drought-Prone Environments. (pp. 5-11) edited by K.S. Fischer, R. Lafitte, S. Fukai, G. Atlin and B. Hardy. Philippines: International Rice Research Institute.

  • Pantuwan, G., Fukai, S., Cooper, M., Rajatasereekul, S. and O'Toole, J. C. (2001). Field screening for drought resistance. Increased lowland rice production in the Mekong region. (pp. 69-77) edited by Shu Fukai and Jaya Basnayake. Canberra, ACT Australia: Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research.

  • Makara, Ouk, Fukai, S., Cooper, M. and Nesbitt, H. J. (2001). Influence of seeding time and seedling age at time of transplanting on the productivity of rainfed lowland rice with different levels of photoperiod sensitivity. Increased lowland rice production in the Mekong region. (pp. 259-270) edited by Shu Fukai and Jaya Basnayake. Canberra, ACT Australia: Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research.

  • Sibounheuang, V., Basnayake, J., Fukai, S. and Cooper, M. (2001). Leaf-water potential as a drought resistance character in rice. Increased lowland rice production in the Mekong region. (pp. 86-95) edited by Shu Fukai and Jaya Basnayake. Canberra, ACT Australia: Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research.

  • Fukai, S. (1999). Agricultural production. Plants in Action - Adaptation in Nature, Performance in Cultivation. (pp. 401-404) edited by Brian J. Atwell, Paul E. Kriedemann, Colin G. N. Turnbull, Derek Eamus, Roderick L. Bieleski and Graham Farquhar. South Yarra: MacMillan Education Australia.

  • Cooper, M., Podlich, D. and Fukai, S. (1999). Combining information from multi-environment trials and molecular markers to select adaptive traits for yield improvement of rice in water-limited environments. Genetic Improvement of Rice for Water-Limited Environments. (pp. 13-33) edited by O. Ito, J. O'Toole and B. Hardy. Los Banos, Philippines: International Rice Research Institute.

  • Fukai, Shu, Cooper, M., Fischer, K. S. and Wade, L. J. (1997). Breeding strategies for rainfed lowland rice: suggestions for future research. Breeding strategies for rainfed lowland rice in drought-prone environments. (pp. 245-248) edited by S. Fukai, M. Cooper and J. Salisbury. Canberra, ACT Australia: Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research.

  • Jongdee, Boonrat, Fukai, Shu and Cooper, M. (1997). Genotypic variation for water relations and growth during the vegetative stage among six rice lines contrasting in maintenance of high leaf water potential. Breeding strategies for rainfed lowland rice in drought-prone environments. (pp. 180-191) edited by S. Fukai, M. Cooper and J. Salisbury. Canberra, ACT Australia: Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research.

  • Fukai, Shu, Piggin, C. and Cooper, M. (1997). Introduction. Breeding strategies for rainfed lowland rice in drought-prone environments. (pp. vi-xi) edited by S. Fukai, M. Cooper and J. Salisbury. Canberra, ACT Australia: Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research. doi: 10.1007/978-981-10-5221-7_1

  • Pantuwan, Greinggrai, Fukai, Shu, Cooper, M., O'Toole, J. C. and Sarkarung, Surapong (1997). Root traits to increase drought resistance in rainfed lowland rice. Breeding strategies for rainfed lowland rice in drought-prone environments. (pp. 170-179) edited by S. Fukai, M. Cooper and J. Salisbury. Canberra, ACT Australia: Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research.

  • Henderson, S. A., Fukai, S., Jongdee, B. and Cooper, M. (1996). Comparing simulation and experimental approaches to analysing genotype by environment interactions for yield in rainfed lowland rice. Plant adaptation and crop improvement. (pp. 443-464) edited by M. Cooper and G. L. Hammer. Abingdon, Oxon United Kingdom: CAB International.

Journal Article

Conference Publication

Edited Outputs

  • V. Seng, E. Craswell, S. Fukai and K. S. Fischer eds. (2004). Water in Agriculture - ACIAR Proceedings 116. Water in Agriculture, Phnom Penh, Cambodia, 25-28 November 2003. Canberra: Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research.

  • S. Fukai and J. W. M. Basnayake eds. (2001). ACIAR Proceedings No 101. Increased Lowland Rice Production in the Mekong Region, Vientiane, Laos, 30 October - 2 November 2000. Canberra, ACT: Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research.

Other Outputs

Grants (Administered at UQ)

PhD and MPhil Supervision

Current Supervision

Completed Supervision