Dr. Kasemsap conducts research primarily on improving the growth and yield of important crops, such as rice and rubber trees, by optimizing their nutrient use and understanding how environmental factors impact them. For example, he studies how different nitrogen sources affect rice growth and how rubber trees manage their resources for both growth and latex production. His research is vital for farmers and agricultural scientists aiming to enhance food production and cultivation practices in various settings.
Key findings
In a study on rice, researchers tested 390 varieties and found that plants tolerant to high ammonium levels showed better growth performance, indicating 176 genetic markers associated with optimal fertilizer use.
In rubber trees, research showed that both growth and latex production increased together in resource-rich environments, demonstrating that trees can thrive without sacrificing either aspect.
Dr. Kasemsap discovered that rising atmospheric CO2 levels decrease nitrate processing in plant leaves by about 20% while enhancing it in roots by around 30%, which could impact food production due to climate change.
Research indicated that tapping rubber trees for latex produced double the non-structural carbohydrates in tapped trees, suggesting greater carbohydrate storage but at the cost of reduced growth rates.
The study on ozone exposure found that while fruit yield in tomatoes was not significantly affected, quality declined due to changes in sugar and organic acid balance, which could have future implications for growers.
Frequently asked questions
Does Dr. Kasemsap study rice?
Yes, Dr. Kasemsap studies rice and how different nitrogen sources affect its growth, helping to improve fertilizer management for better yields.
What crops does Dr. Kasemsap focus on?
Dr. Kasemsap focuses on rice, rubber trees, and wheat, researching ways to enhance their growth and productivity through better nutrient use and understanding environmental impacts.
Is Dr. Kasemsap's work relevant for farmers?
Absolutely, his research directly benefits farmers by providing insights into optimizing crop production and improving practices for sustainable agriculture.
What are the effects of climate change on Dr. Kasemsap's research?
His research indicates that rising CO2 levels may hinder plants' ability to utilize essential nutrients, potentially threatening food production.
How does tapping affect rubber trees?
Tapping rubber trees for latex significantly increases carbohydrate storage in the trees but can slow their growth, which is important for management practices.
Publications in plain English
Genome-wide association study of rice vegetative growth under ammonium or nitrate nutrition.
2025
Plant physiology and biochemistry : PPB
Kasemsap P, Cohen I, Bloom AJ
Plain English This study looked at how different types of nitrogen, specifically ammonium and nitrate, affect the growth of rice plants. Researchers tested 390 rice varieties and found that rice can grow well using either nitrogen source, but plants that are tolerant to high ammonium levels grew better overall. They identified 176 genetic markers linked to this growth, which can help scientists choose the best rice varieties for efficient fertilizer use.
Who this helps: This research benefits farmers and rice growers by improving fertilizer management practices.
Testing intra-species variation in allocation to growth and defense in rubber tree ().
2024
PeerJ
Rungwattana K, Kasemsap P, Phumichai T, Rattanawong R, Hietz P
Plain English This study looked at how rubber trees from the Amazon balance their resources for growth and defense in different environments. Researchers found that instead of competing for resources, both growth and latex production increased together as the trees got bigger. This is important because it shows that in resource-rich environments, rubber trees can thrive in both growth and defense without having to sacrifice one for the other.
Who this helps: This research benefits farmers and agricultural scientists looking to optimize rubber tree cultivation for better yields.
Breeding for Higher Yields of Wheat and Rice through Modifying Nitrogen Metabolism.
2022
Plants (Basel, Switzerland)
Kasemsap P, Bloom AJ
Plain English This study looked at ways to improve wheat and rice yields by changing how these plants use nitrogen, which is crucial for their growth. Researchers found that focusing on certain genes related to nitrogen and carbon metabolism could create stronger crops. Although the work on nitrogen absorption has been going on for a long time, only a few new plant varieties have been developed with better yields so far.
Who this helps: This helps farmers and agricultural researchers aiming to produce more food.
Rising atmospheric COconcentration inhibits nitrate assimilation in shoots but enhances it in roots of Cplants.
2020
Physiologia plantarum
Bloom AJ, Kasemsap P, Rubio-Asensio JS
Plain English This study looked at how rising levels of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere affect how plants use nitrates, which are important for making proteins. The researchers found that while higher CO2 levels decrease nitrate processing in the leaves (or shoots) of plants like wheat and Arabidopsis by about 20%, they actually boost nitrate processing in the roots by around 30%. This information is important because it shows how climate change could threaten food production by reducing the ability of plants to grow effectively.
Who this helps: Farmers and agricultural scientists.
In situ 13CO2 labelling of rubber trees reveals a seasonal shift in the contribution of the carbon sources involved in latex regeneration.
2020
Journal of experimental botany
Duangngam O, Desalme D, Thaler P, Kasemsap P, Sathornkich J +5 more
Plain English This study looked at rubber trees, which produce natural rubber from latex. Researchers found that during the low latex production season in June, the trees used newly created sugars more slowly compared to the high production season in October. This shows that trees have a backup source of carbon that helps them maintain latex levels over time, which is important for sustainable rubber production.
Who this helps: This benefits rubber producers and farmers by improving tapping practices.
Plain English This study looked at how short bursts of ozone exposure affect tomatoes, especially their growth, yield, and quality. Researchers found that while ozone reduced the number and size of well-developed tomatoes, it didn’t impact how many flowers bloomed or how many fruits were set. They noted an increase in sugars and organic acids in the fruits, but overall quality was lower due to a change in the balance of these compounds. This matters because even though the final yield wasn’t significantly reduced, the fruit’s quality changed, indicating potential future issues for growers.
Who this helps: This helps farmers and agricultural scientists understand how air pollution might affect crop quality.
Carbon isotope composition of latex does not reflect temporal variations of photosynthetic carbon isotope discrimination in rubber trees (Hevea brasiliensis).
2015
Tree physiology
Kanpanon N, Kasemsap P, Thaler P, Kositsup B, Gay F +2 more
Plain English This study examined how the carbon in latex from rubber trees varies between tapped and untapped trees across different seasons. Researchers found that the latex from tapped trees showed a 1.6‰ lower carbon isotope value compared to untapped trees, indicating that tapped trees use a mix of recent sugars and stored carbohydrates for latex production. This is important because it helps us understand how tapping affects tree metabolism, which can influence latex yield and productivity.
Who this helps: This helps rubber tree farmers and researchers working to improve latex production.
Impact of tapping and soil water status on fine root dynamics in a rubber tree plantation in Thailand.
2013
Frontiers in plant science
Chairungsee N, Gay F, Thaler P, Kasemsap P, Thanisawanyangkura S +2 more
Plain English This study looked at how weather and a harvesting method called tapping affect the growth of fine roots in a 14-year-old rubber tree plantation in Thailand over two years. The researchers found that fine root production stopped during dry seasons and picked up again with rain, with totals of 139.8 mm in 2008 and 40.4 mm in 2009. They also noted that tapping to collect latex negatively impacts the tree's carbon dynamics, which is important for understanding how rubber plantations function in relation to climate change.
Who this helps: This research benefits farmers and environmentalists by highlighting the effects of tapping on both tree health and carbon storage.
Carbohydrate storage in wood and bark of rubber trees submitted to different level of C demand induced by latex tapping.
2009
Tree physiology
Chantuma P, Lacointe A, Kasemsap P, Thanisawanyangkura S, Gohet E +4 more
Plain English This study looked at how rubber trees manage their carbohydrate storage when latex is collected from them. Over two years, researchers found that rubber trees that were tapped stored more carbohydrates—especially starch—than those that were not tapped. Specifically, the tapped trees had double the non-structural carbohydrates compared to the untapped ones, but tapping also slowed down the tree's growth.
Who this helps: This information benefits rubber tree growers and farmers by helping them improve latex production while managing tree health.
Effect of tapping activity on the dynamics of radial growth of Hevea brasiliensis trees.
2006
Tree physiology
Silpi U, Thaler P, Kasemsap P, Lacointe A, Chantuma A +4 more
Plain English This study looked at how tapping rubber trees affects their growth and latex production. Researchers found that tapped trees grew about half as much as untapped trees, with growth dropping sharply about two weeks after tapping began. Tapped trees produced more latex over time, but their growth rates varied depending on their location around the cut where they were tapped.
Who this helps: This benefits rubber tree farmers and researchers studying sustainable production practices.