Laureates of the Japan Prize
The 1987 (3nd) Japan Prize
Improvement of Biological Functions
Development of the IR8 and IR36 strains for rice breeding
strategies geared to the tropical and subtropical zones (Joint Award)
Dr. Henry M. Beachell (USA)
Dr. Gurdev S. Khush (India)
| Former head of the Plant Breeding Department at the International Rice Research Institute Advisor to the Farms of Texas Company. 1906-2006 |
Head of the Plant Breeding Department at the International Rice Research Institute. Born in 1935 |
| Award Citation | |
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Dr. Beachell has taken part in the IRRI's rice strain improvement projects since the institute's establishment. In 1966 he developed the IR8 strain that helped pave the way for the "green revolution" in developing nations. |
Carrying on the work begun by Dr. Beachell, Dr. Khush further improved IR8 and in 1976 developed IR36, a strain highly tolerant of poor environmental conditions. IR36 contributed immensely to the attainment of production stability and self-sufficiency in rice in tropical and subtropical countries. |