Insect pests and diseases can significantly reduce both the quantity and quality of post harvest agricultural products when in storage. Synthetic insecticide and fungicide treatment can control these, but there are obvious problems with residue contamination with the associated health hazards. As an alternative, some natural chemical extractions can be used to replace these synthetic chemicals. One such product has been investigated by Dr. Suraphon Visetson and his colleagues who compare the efficiency of extraction methods for chilli peppers used in the control insect pests in stored products. The results of this interesting new work can be found in this issue of the FCRI Bulletin.

There have been a significant number of researches on the use of the scattered waves polarization states for crop classification. However, most of the researches have their specific techniques for data analysis, which are neither standard nor amendable to other work. Therefore : Mr.Peerapong developed a polarimetric measurement system and compared many analysis techniques.

Biotechnology is a potential new tool that may be able to produce new varieties, which contain only the desire genes. In addition, Assistant professor Prawit Puddhanon has compared the performance of two maize varieties in glass-house trials at Maejo University, Chiang Mai, one with the ‘Round-up’ tolerant gene the other without, as well as other standard maize varieties. The results will no doubt add to the ongoing debate about the use and effectiveness of GMO.

All these interesting stories are presented inside with only an abstract or brief summary, due to limited number of pages. For further information about these and other work conducted at the Field Crop Research Institute, please do not hesitate to contact either the corresponding author or myself the Editor at the address provided and we will be pleased to forward you more details.