Although, our progress in research and development on biotechnology is not as advanced as we would like to get, we feel it is better to take a small step forward, rather than to remain standing in one spot. These initial few steps have consisted of the DNA fingerprinting of all the main field crops varieties grown in Thailand, with information related to DNA analysis, traditional steps are already being taken in the form of research and development into aspects of field crop production and progress in these areas is significant. We do, however, require more information regarding on-farm adaptive research. These activities are, however, costly in both time and labour, so a further area of study is developing computer models, namely crop modeling for most of the field crops. In this issue, the results of an investigation the incidence and nature of the Southern Corn Leaf Blight disease in maize and maize production in the irrigated paddy field environment are reported. It is our hope that you will find these reports of interest.

In the meantime, there have been some changes to our editorial team. Dr. Jinda Jan-on has bitten the bullet and taken early retirement, though he will continue to help out with this publication. Dr. Nipon Iamsupasit has also moved on to better pastures with his move to the Plant Genetic Diversity Division in the Biotechnology Centre. We wish them both well with their new challenges.

Ian Grange will continue to co-edit this publication, despite having now moved from his work with the FCRI. He is now based at the Faculty of Environment and Resource Studies at Mahidol University. So that brings me around to introducing myself, Dr. Teerasak Manupeerapan, as the newly appointed editor. Together, we would finally like to say that we fully intend to continue on with the same high standards as before.

Teerasakm21@hotmail.com