The Department of Agronomy is one of the founding departments of the Faculty of Agriculture at Kasetsart University, established nearly 75 years ago. The department offers comprehensive agronomy curricula from bachelor's to doctoral levels, emphasizing advanced principles and research in economic crops such as rice, corn, cassava, oil palm, sugarcane, rubber, bioenergy crops, and legumes.
Plant Breeding Programs
The department has continuously developed and released new varieties of key economic crops over many decades. For example, Suwan 1 feed corn serves as the genetic base for Thai hybrid corn breeding, significantly contributing to the animal feed and seed industries. Suwan 1 corn has adapted well across more than 20 countries worldwide, with a cumulative value of approximately 10,415 million baht through 2014.
Kasetsart 50 cassava has been the most widely planted variety domestically and throughout Southeast Asia for over 20 years, with a cumulative value of approximately 48,891 million baht through 2014. Researchers received numerous international awards including the Golden Cassava Award 2016 from the Global Cassava Partnership for the 21st Century.
Thailand is the world's leading exporter of mung beans, with Kamphaeng Saen 1 and 2 being the most popular varieties. Kamphaeng Saen 2 currently accounts for over 40% of Thailand's mung bean planting area.
The department is the only Thai institution participating in the International Rice Genome Sequencing Project (IRGSP) and discovered the aroma gene in Khao Dawk Mali 105 jasmine rice. The department has introduced at least 7 high-nutrition rice varieties including Riceberry, Sinlek, Hom Cholasit, Pin Kaset 4, Hom Mali 4, Khao Niao Thanya Sirin, and Hom Mali 80.
Distinguished Alumni
Graduates serve as leaders in administration and education in both government and private sectors, from Privy Council members and department directors to high-level executives of leading agricultural companies in Thailand and Asia.