Vergara - 1976 - Physiological and morphological adaptability of ri

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tional. "primitive" rices from all rice-growing areas, and a large and growing
collection of wild species of Oiyza. The collection is being evaluated, entered in
computerized. accessible records, and permanently preserved. Indeed, this
operation is a model for all other crops. achieved by consistent planning and
effort, and by a rare quality of arousing the interest and cooperation of many
colleagues. Now, the phytotrtin will provide a new dimension for evaluation and
research on this unique collection, a further insight for the benefit of this and
future generations.
This phytotrtin may be expected to serve as a pathfinder and pioneer in this
immensely important region of Southem and Southeastern Asia. I feel sure that
its success will give further encouragement in other parts of the region where the
advances in agricultural technology and in the basic biological sciences justify
the establishment of such a laboratory Some years ago a phytotron proposal by
India was under discussion and I was requested to look into it. When the project
was revived more recently. the Indian authorities, perhaps with an element
of asperity. referred to my “very critical assessment." which. hovrever. concluded
with a recommendation to establish a phytotron there. The project was then
postponed. but with the encouragement deriving from this phyttotron. I hope it
may‘ again be taken up.l believed then. asl believe now. that such a facility
opens a tremendous opportunity for an institution which is truly capable of
exploiting it. True, a phytotrtin facilitates and accelerates work of immediate
practical value. But beyond objectives ivhich are foreseeable in terms of existing
knowledge, it provides opportunities for workers with vision and imagination
to explore as yet unknown causes, interactions, and effects, to test assumptions
with rigorous precision, to probe beyond what is known and exploitable—the
frontiers of man's world and resources. for tomorrow and beyond.
After all, a phytotron, like a computer, is a machine, a facility, albeit a sophisticated
and expensive one. But it is a facility which can attract and bring
together men and ivomen of talent, for their ideas to evolve, develop. and fructify.
My good wishes go to the Institute, the phytotron, and the workers from
this and other countries who will make it alive, to swell the stream of fruitful
knowledge which the world has come to expect from this institution.