Zhien Jin and Antara Sarker, second-year master students in the Graduate School of Agriculture Frontiers of Production Sciences (Global Education Program for Agriscience Frontiers), and Samia Sultana, third-year doctoral student (Circular Agricultural Systems Engineering Laboratory), presented and received awards at the 17th Japan-China-Korea International Graduate Student Academic Forum.
At the 17th Japan-China-Korea International Graduate Student Academic Forum (online：University of Tsukuba host) held on September 18-19, 2025, Zhien Jin and Antara Sarker, second-year master students in the Graduate School of Agriculture Frontiers of Production Sciences (Global Education Program for Agriscience Frontiers), and Samia Sultana, third-year doctoral student (Circular Agricultural Systems Engineering Laboratory), received Silver and Bronze Awards, respectively.
●Antara Sarker (Silver prize)
Title of the presentation:
「Enhancing Nitrogen Efficiency and Tuber Growth in Organic Potatoes With Biochar–Digestate Integration」
Overview:
Limited evidence exists on how biochar, digestate, and their combinations influence potato yield and soil health compared to conventional fertilization. Investigate how different fertilization treatments influence plant growth, tuber yield and nitrogen use efficiency. The combination of biochar-digestate resulted in superior efficiency and sustainability compared to chemical fertilization.
●ZHIEN JIN (Silver prize)
Title of the presentation:
「Polyphenol Extraction and Microencapsulation from Spent Green Tea: Toward Sustainable Functional Applications」
Overview:
SDGs-oriented, try to effectively utilize the functional antioxidant compounds from green tea residue. Effectively and efficiently recovered functional antioxidants compounds from green tea residue in green, safe and sustainable ways. Total phenolic content and total amino acid content of extracts were determined by FTIR and LC-MS analysis. Optimal extraction conditions combining SSE & NF were identified.
●MST SAMIA SULTANA (Bronze prize)
Title of the presentation:
「LC-MS Based Phytochemical Profiling Towards the Identification of Biopesticide Compound in Lagenaria siceraria Leaf Extracts from Hokkaido」
Overview:
Cabbage crops are often damaged by cabbage looper larvae (Trichoplusia ni), reducing yields. This study evaluated the effectiveness of Lagenaria siceraria leaf extracts in controlling these pests, enhancing cabbage growth, and identifying active biopesticide compounds. The extract reduced infestation and increased yield by 15.98% compared to control and Permethrin 3.2 EC. Key compounds include Apigenin-7-O-glucoside, Indole-3-butyric acid, Strychnine, Phytol, Hexadecanoic acid (ethanol extract), and Methyllycaconitine, Acacetin-7-O-rutinoside, β-Sitosterol acetate, Reserpine (hexane extract). Lagenaria siceraria extract offers a sustainable, ecofriendly alternative to chemical pesticides.
The event is held in rotation among universities in Japan, China, and Korea as a forum for graduate students majoring in agriculture, environmental science, and life science to present their research and interact.
