Personal Details/Awards/Publications: Dr. Soh Aik Chin FASc (SAC)

Personal Details

Name
DR. SOH AIK CHIN FASc (SAC)
Education
University of Malaya (UM)
B. Agri. Sc. (Hons.), 1971University of Malaya (UM)
M. Agric. Sc, 1976Oregon State University
Ph.D, 1979

Job experience

Cocoa agronomist, Felda Research   (1971 – 1973)

Tutor, University of Malaya   (1973 – 1974)

Lecturer, University of Malaya   (1975 – 1976)

Teaching Assistant, Oregon State University   (1977 – 1979)

Plant Breeder, Highlands Research Unit   1979 – 1986 (June)

Plant Breeder, Applied Agricultural Research Sdn. Bhd.   1986 (June) – 2007 (February)

Department Head of Agricultural Research, Applied Agricultural Research Sdn. Bhd.   1998 – 2000 (March)

Head of Agricultural Research, Applied Agricultural Research Sdn. Bhd.   2000 (March) – 2007 (February)

Tissue Culture Consultant, Applied Agricultural Research Sdn. Bhd.   2007- Present

Specialty of work
Professional activities and societies

Fellow of Academy of Sciences Malaysia (2004)

MPOB Programme Advisory Committee (Biology) Member (2002)

Panel Reviewer for MPOB’s Breeding & Biotechnology Programmes (2001)

Assoc. Editor, SABRAO (Society for Advancement of Breeding Researches in Asia and Oceania) Journal (1985-1990)

Editor, International Society of Oil Palm Breeders (ISOPB) (1985 – 1989)

Reviewer for international journals: Euphytica, Plant Breeding, SABRAO Journal, Journal of Oil Palm Research

Member of Malaysian Society of Applied Biology (Since 1975)

Member of Incorporated Society of Planters (Since 1979)

MOPGC-ARC Subcommittee on Tissue Culture – Chairman (1992 – 1990)

PORIM Oil Palm Breeders – Tissue Culturists Committee – Member (Since 1985)

Reviewer for Journal of Oil Palm Research/Elaeis, Euphytica

Malaysian Palm Oil Association – Agric. Research. Working Committee Member (Since 2000)

Sigma Xi – Scientific Society of America – member (1978 – 1984)

Crop Science Society of America – member (Since 1977)

Genetics Society of Malaysia – life member

National Biotechnology Programme – contact person

Current research projects
External research funding and collaborative work
Title: –
Fund: –
Sponsor: –
Collaborators: –
Papers published

More than 70 articles and editor of 5 books.23 senior authored peer reviewed journal publications, 15 of which in international journals.

Miscellaneous
  • Attended Malaysian Scientific Association Course on Genetic Engineering 1984
  • Attended ISOPB Application of Statistics to Perennial Tree Crops 1989
  • Attended IPT BLUP Course 1989
  • I have supervised a MSc student and 2 BSc(Hons) students

 

Awards

  • Varsity Senior Scholarship, University of Malaya (1968 – 1971)
  • Malaysian Rubber Fund Board Scholarship, University of Malaya (1968 – 1971)
  • International Student Scholarship, Oregon State University (1977 – 1979)
  • 1st Runner-up – Graduate Student Presentation – W. Crop Sc. Soc. of America (1978)
  • Malaysian Toray Science Foundation 2005 Science & Technology Award (2005)
  • Fellow of Academy Science Malaysia (2006)

 

Publications

Journal

Soh, A.C., Yap, T.C. and K.M. Graham 1976. Heterosis and combining ability in a diallel cross of chilli (Capsicum annum L.). J. Agric. Sci. Camb. 87: 447-449.

Soh, A.C., Yap, T.C. and K.M. Graham 1976. The relationship between yield and its components in a diallel cross of chilli. Mal. Agric. Res. 5: 40-43.

Soh, A.C., Yap, T.C. and K.M. Graham, 1977. Inheritance of resistance to pepper veinal mottle virus in chilli. Phytopathology : 67(1) : 115-117.

Soh, A.C., Yap, T.C. and K.M. Graham, 1977. Diallel analysis in chilli for horticultural characteristics and resistance to pepper veinal mottle virus. SABRAO Journal 9(2) : 127-134.

Soh, A.C., Yap, T.C. and K.M. Graham, 1977. Genetics and breeding of chilli in Malaysia. Malays. Appli. Biol. 6(2):163-169.

Soh, A.C. 1984. Book Review: Efficiency in Plant Breeding 1984. Proceedings of the 10th Congress of the European Association for Research on Plant Breeding (EUCARPIA). SABRAO Journal 17: 92-95.

Soh, A.C., R.V. Frakes, D.O. Chilcote and D.A. Sleper, 1984. Genetic variation in acid detergent fiber, neutral detergent fiber, hemicellulose, crude protein and their relationship with in vitro dry matter digestibility in tall fescue. Crop Science 24 : 721-727.

Soh, A.C. 1986. Expected yield increase with selected oil palm clones from current DxP seedling materials and its implications on clonal propagation, breeding and ortet selection. Oleagineux 41(2): 51-56. (Also presented at 5th SABRAO International Congress, Bangkok, Nov. 1985).

Soh, A.C. 1987. Current issues in oil palm breeding, Malay. Appl. Biol. 16: 101-108.

Soh, A.C., Lee, C.H., and Chin, C.W. 1989. Suitable plot sizes and replications in oil palm breeding experiments. SABRAO J. 21(2):143-150.

Soh, A.C. 1990. Oil Palm Breeding – breeding into the 21st century. Plant Breeding Abstr. 60(12) : 1437 – 1444

Soh, A.C. and Chow, C.S. 1993. Index selection, utilising plot and family information in oil palm. Elaeis 5(1) : 27-37.

Soh, A.C., Chow, C.S., S. Iyama and Y. Yamada 1994. Candidate traits for index selection in choice of oil palm ortets for clonal propagation. Euphytica 76: 23-32.

Soh, A.C. 1994. Ranking parents by best linear unbiased prediction (BLUP) breeding values in oil palm. Euphytica 76:13-21

Soh A.C., Gan H.H., Wong G., Hor T.Y. and Tan C.C. 2003. Estimates of within family genetic variability for clonal selection in oil palm. Euphytica 133: 147-163.

Saleha Ibrahim, Soh, A.C. and Yap, T.C. 1976. Relative concentration of pepper veinal mottle virus in resistant and susceptible chilli plants. Mal. Agric. Res. 5: 57-60.

Mak, C., Zainol Abidin Omar and Soh, A.C. 1981 Comparative performance of lines derived from F4 and F5 generations of chilli (Capsicum annum L.) Malays. Appl. Biol. 10(1):23-28.

Wong, G.,Tan, C. C. and Soh, A.C. 1996. Large-scale propagation of oil palm clones – Experienexperiencesto date. Acta Hort 447: 649-658

Chan, K.S., Soh, A.C. and Chew, P.S. 1999. An accurate and precise method of determining oil to bunch in oil palm. Journal of Oil Palm Research. PORIM, K.L. Vol. 11(1):11-22.

Edited/Refereed Articles
Soh, A.C., T. Vanialingam, B. Taniputra and Kabul Pamin, 1981. Derivatives of the Dumpy palm – Some experimental results. Planter: 57: 227-239.

Soh, A.C. 1987. Abnormal oil palm clones. Possible causes and implication – further discussions. Planter 63: 59-65.

Soh, A.C, 1998. Review of ortet selection in oil palm. The Planter. Incorporated Society of Planters, Kuala Lumpur : 217-226.

Soh A.C. 2002. Narrowing the yield gap in oil palm between potential and realisation. Guest Editorial: The Planter. Incorporated Society of Planters, Kuala Lumpur 78 (919): 541-544.

Rao, V., Soh, A.C., R.H.V. Corley, Lee, C.H., N. Rajanaidu, Tan, Y.P., Chin, C.W., Lim, K.C., Tan, S.T., Lee, T.P. and NguI, M. 1983. A critical re-examination of the method of bunch quality analysis in oil palm breeding. PORIM Occasional Paper, No. 9. 28 pp.

Koh, C.L. and Soh, A.C. 1987. Designer genes anyone? Genetic engineering of crop plants in perspective. Parts 1, 2 & 3. Planter 63:183-195.

Chew, P.S., Soh, A.C. and Goh, K.J. 1997. Notes on Revitalising Plantation Agriculture in Malaysia. The Planter. Incorporated Society of Planters, K.L. 73(854): 247-253.

Periasamy, A., Gopal, K. and Soh, A.C. 2002. Productivity improvements in seed processing techniques for commercial oil palm seed production. The Planter. Incorporated Society of Planters, Kuala Lumpur: 78(917): 429-442

Books, booklets and book chapters 
Soh, A.C. 1983. Choice of Planting Materials. Casual Papers On Oil Palm. Incorporated Society of Planters, Kuala Lumpur. 33 pp.

Soh, A.C., Wong, G., Hor, T.Y., Tan, C.C. and Chew, P.S. 2003. Oil palm genetic improvement. In: Janick, J. (ed.). Plant Breeding Reviews Vol. 22. John Wiley & Sons, New Jersey, pp. 165-219

Soh A.C., Kee, K.K., Goh, K.J., Ang, B.N., and Ooi, L.H. 2003. Oil palm. In: Janick,, J. (ed.). Encyclopedia of Fruits and Nuts. CABI International. (In press)

Editor
Soh, A.C., Rajanaidu N. and Mohd Nasir Hasan Basri (Ed.) 1986. Proceedings of International Workshop on Oil Palm Germplasm and Utilisation. ISOPB/PORIM, Bangi . 248 pp.

Soh, A.C., Rajanaidu N. and Mohd Nasir Hasan Basri (Ed.) 1986. Proceedings of the Colloquium on Breeding and Selection for Clonal Oil Palms ISOPB, Bangi. 129 pp.

Soh, A.C., Rajanaidu N. and Mohd Nasir Hasan Basri (Ed.) 1993. Proceedings of Workshop on Prospects of Interspecific Hybrids. ISOPB/PORIM Bangi.

Soh, A.C., Rajanaidu N. and Mohd Nasir Hasan Basri, Kabul Pamin and C. Muluk (Ed.) 1990. Proceedings of Workshop on Progress of Oil Palm Breeding Populations. ISOPB/PORIM, Marihat, Medan, 1988. 154 pp.

Soh, A.C., Rajanaidu N. and Mohd Nasir Hasan Basri (Ed.) 1990. Proceedings of Symposium on Application of Statistics to Perennial Tree Crops Research ISOPB. PORIM, Kuala Lumpur, 1989. 165 pp.

Conferences, seminars and workshops (Published) 
Teoh, K.C., P.S. Chew, C.S. Chow and A.C. Soh, 1982. A study of the seasonal fluctuations in leaf nutrient levels in oil palms in Peninsular Malaysia. In Proceedings of the International Conference on Oil Palm in the Eighties Vol II. (Ed. E. Pushparajah and Chew, P.S.) pp. 13-38.

Soh, A.C. and Tan, S.T. 1983. Estimation of genetic variance, heritability and combining ability in oil palm breeding. In Proceedings of the Fourth International SABRAO Congress on Crop Improvement Research (Ed:- Yap T.C., K.M. Graham and Jalani Sukaimi) pp. 379-388

Soh, A.C. 1986. Strategies in breeding and selection for oil palm clones. In: Proceedings of the Colloquium on Breeding and Selection for Clonal Oil Palms. (Ed. A.C. Soh, Rajanaidu, N. & Mohd Nasir H.B.) ISOPB/PORIM, Bangi. pp. 52-62.

Soh, A.C. 1986. Anticipated yield increase with selected oil palm clones from current DxP seedling materials and its implications on clonal propagation, breeding and ortet selection. In : Proc. 5th SABRAO International Congress on new frontiers in breeding researches. Banpot N. and Suranant S.A. (eds): 533-543.

Soh, A.C. and Chow, C.S. 1987. Indirect selection for oil yield in oil palm clones. In : Proc. 1987 International Oil Palm/Palm Oil Conferences. (Chew, P.S., Wood B.J. and E. Pushparajah eds). PORIM, Kuala Lumpur: 167-172

Soh, A.C. and Chow, C.S. 1989. Index selection in oil palm for cloning. In Proc. of the 6th International. Congress of SABRAO. Ed. S. Iyama, and G. Takeda, Tsukuba, Japan pp. 713-716.

Soh, A.C., Lee, C.H., Yong, Y.Y., Chin, C.W., Tan, Y.P., Rajanaidu N. and Phuah, P.K. 1990. The precision of oil palm breeding experiments in Malaysia. In A.C. Soh, N. Rajanaidu and Mohd Nasir Hasan Basri (Ed.) Proceedings of Symposium on Application of Statistics to Perennial Tree Crop Research. ISOPB/PORIM, Kuala Lumpur: 41-50

Chow, C.S. and Soh, A.C. 1990. Factor analysis of some agronomic and physiological traits in two oil palm breeding trials. In : Proc. of Symp. on Application of Statistics to Perennial Tree Crops Research. Soh, A.C., Rajanaidu N. and Mohd Nasir Hasan Basri (eds). ISOPB/PORIM, Kuala Lumpur: 86-96.

Ng, C.L., Paranjothy K., Mak, C, and Soh, A.C. 1993. Assaying endogeneous cytokinin levels in inflorescence of normal and mantled oil palm ramets. . In: Recent Developments in Oil Palm Tissue Culture and Biotechnology. (Rao, V., Henson, I.E., and Rajanaidu, N., eds.) International Society for Oil Palm Breeders., Bangi :98-115

Paranjothy K., Rohani Othman, Tan, C.C., Wong, G. and Soh, A.C. 1993. Incidence of abnormalities in relation to vitro protocols. In: Recent Developments in Oil Palm Tissue Culture and Biotechnology.(Rao, V., Henson, I.E., & Rajanaidu, N., eds.)International Society for Oil Palm Breeders., Bangi : 77-85

Soh, A.C., Tan, H., Ooi, L.H., Rajanaidu N., Cheah, S.C. and Low, F.C. 1994. Genetic improvement of plantation crops in Malaysia. In : Proc. 1st National Congress on Genetics. Genetics Society of Malaysia: 55-69.

Soh, A.C., Rajanaidu N. and Cheah, S.C. 1994. Oil Palm Breeding: The Previous and the next 50 years. In : Proc. International Planters Conference on managing oil palms for enhanced profitability. Incorporated Society of Planters, K.L: 35-52.

Soh, A.C., Tan, H., Ooi, L.H., Rajanaidu, N., Cheah, S.C. and Low, F.C. 1994. Genetic improvement of plantation crops in Malaysia. In Proc. 1st National Congress on Genetics. Genetics Society of Malaysia: 55-69.

Soh, A.C., Yong, Y.Y., Ho, Y.W. and Rajanaidu N. 1995. Commercial potential of oil clones. In: Recent Developments in Oil Palm Tissue Culture and Biotechnology. (Rao, V., Henson, I.E., and Rajanaidu, N., eds.) International Society for Oil Palm Breeders., Bangi :134-144.

Soh, A.C. 1995. Commercial potential of oil palm clones: early results of their performance in several locations. In Recent Developments in Oil Palm Tissue Culture and Biotechnology (Rao, V., Henson, I.E. and Rajanaidu N. eds). Internation Society of Oil Palm Breeders, Selangor : 134-144.

Rajanaidu, N., JalanI B.S., Soh, A.C., Tek, J., Musa B., Chin, C.W. and Yong, Y.Y. 1996. Performance of second generation of PORIM Nigerian material evaluated in Malaysia. In: 1996 PORIM. Int. Palm Oil Congress on Competitiveness for the 21st Century. PORIM Kuala Lumpur pp. 32-45.

Hor, T.Y., Soh, A.C., Chan, K.S., Chew, P.S. and Goh, K.J. 1996. Studies on oil palm bunch characteristics effects on oil extraction rates. In: Proc. International Conference on Oil and Kernel Production in Oil Palm – A Global Perspective. Rajanaidu N., Henson I.E. and Jalani B.S. (eds). ISOPB and PORIM: 229-255.

Soh, A.C. 1996. Review of ortet selection in oil palm. Presented at 1996 PORIM International Palm Oil Congress’s Workshop on “Oil Palm Clones: Where are We?”. The Planter, Incorporated Society of Planters, Kuala Lumpur: 74(865): 217-226.

Wong, G., Tan, C.C. and Soh, A.C. 1996. Large-scale propagation of oil palm clones – experiences todate. In: Abst. Of International Society for Horticultural Sciences (ISHS) . 3rd International Symposium on In Vitro Culture and Horticultural Breeding. Jerusalem, Israel, June 16-21, 1996. pp 12. Acta Horticultural 447: 649-658.

Chew, P.S., Soh, A.C., Goh, K.J and Kee, K.K. 1999. Role of private sector research in oil palm crop production. Proc. 1998 International Oil Palm Conference on Commodity of the past, today and the future: 133-144.

Wong, G., Tan, C.C., Soh, A.C. and Chong, S.P. 1999. Clonal propagation of oil palm through tissue culture. The Planter, Incorporated Soc. of Planters, Kuala Lumpur 75(878): 221-230. Also presented at ISP National Seminar on Innovations in Plantation Management , Kuantan, May 8-9, 1999.

Soh, A.C. 1999. Breeding plans and selection methods in oil palm. In: Proc. Symp. On The Science of Oil Palm Breeding (N. Rajanaidu and B.S. Jalani, eds.). PORIM, Kuala Lumpur : 65-95.

Soh, A.C., Rajanaidu, N., Hor, T.Y. and Gan, H.H. 1999. Combining abilities of selected parents of PORIM’s Nigerian oil palm prospection in introgressed progenies with AAR’s advanced breeding parents. In : Proc. Seminar on PS1 And PS2 Oil Palm Planting Materials. Rajanaidu, N. and Jalani, B.S. (eds). PORIM, Bangi : 30-53.

Wong, G., Chong, S.P., Tan, C.C. and Soh, A,C, 1999. Liquid suspension culture – a potential technique for mass production of oil palm clones. In: Proc. 1999 International Palm Oil Conference on Emerging Technologies and opportunities in the next millennium. PORIM, Bangi : 3-11.

Soh,A.C. 1999. Breeding plans and selection methods in oil palm. In: N. Rajanaidu and B.S. Jalani (eds.) Proc. Symposium on the science of oil palm breeding. Palm Oil Research Institute of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur; 65-95.

Soh, A.C. and Hor, T.Y. 2000. Combining ability correlations for bunch yield and its components in outcrossed populations of oil palm. In: Proc. International Symp. on Oil Palm Genetic Resources and Utilization. ( Rajanaidu, N. and Ariffin, D., eds.) Malaysian Palm Oil Board. Kuala Lumpur. pp M1-M14.

Soh, A.C., Rajanaidu, N., Hor, T.Y. and Gan, H.H. 2002. Combining abilities of selected parents of PORIM’s Nigerian oil palm prospection in introgressed progenies with AAR’s advanced breeding parents. In: Rajanaidu, N. and Jalani, B.S. (eds.). Proc. Seminar on PS1 and PS2 Oil Palm Planting Materials. Palm Oil Research Institute of Malaysia, Bangi: 30-53.

Soh, A.C., Wong, G., Tan, C.C., Chew, P.S., Hor, T.Y., Chong, S.P. and Gopal, K. 2001. Recent advances towards commercial production of elite oil palm clones. Proc. International Palm Oil Congress on cutting-edge technologies for sustained competitiveness. Malaysian Palm Oil Board, Bangi :33-44.

Soh,A.C. 1999. Breeding plans and selection methods in oil palm. In: N. Rajanaidu and B.S. Jalani (eds.) Proc. Symposium on the science of oil palm breeding. Palm Oil Research Institute of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur; 65-95.

AAR Internal Seminars and Field Days (Published) 

Conferences, seminars and workshops (Presented) 
Soh, A.C. 1992. Potential for oil palm improvement through clones. Presented at PORIM Workshop on problems in oil palm clones.

Soh, A.C. 1992. Strategies in breeding and selection for oil palm clones. Presented at PORIM Workshop on Problems in Oil Palm Clones.

Soh, A.C. 1992. Developments in Oil Palm Planting Material. Presented at ISP (Lahad Datu) Oil Palm/ Cocoa Seminar.

Quah, Y.T., Reventhiran, N., Thomas, T. and Soh, A.C. 2002. AA+ Mulch system – A procedure for mulching immature oil palm. Presented at Plasticulture Congress held in USA in February 2002.

Soh, A.C. and Goh, K.J. 2002. Elevating the national oil palm productivity – breeding and agronomic R&D aspects. Presented at MPOB seminar on elevating the national oil palm productivity held 6+7/5/02.

Kee K.K.and Soh A.C. 2002. Management of oil palms on slopelands in Malaysia. Presented at 2002 International Oil Palm Conference on enhancing oil palm industry development through environmentally friendly technology. IOPRI, Bali, 8-12/7/02

Goh K.J., Gan H.H. and Soh A.C. 2002. Oil palm productivity: Commercial FFB yield analysis (Revised version). Seminar On Managing Oil Palms For Maximum Yield. Incorporated Society of Planters, North East Branch, Sabah. Preprint.

Kee K.K., Goh K.J. and Soh A.C. 2003. R&D efforts in efficient utilisation of natural resources in oil palm cultivation. International Planters Conference on globalisation and its impact on the palm oil industry. Incorporated Society of Planters, Kuala Lumpur

Tan C.C., Soh A.C., Wong G., Hor T.Y., Chong S.P. and Gopal K. 2003. Experiences and lessons from oil palm clonal evaluation trials and commercial test plantings. International Palm Oil Congress on Palm Oil : The Power House for the Global Oils and Fats Economy. Malaysian Palm Oil Board.

Soh A.C., Wong G., Tan C.C., Hor T.Y. and Wong C.K. 2003. Revisited: cloning seedlings of reproduced best DxP cross strategy. Paper presented at ISOPB Seminar at Medan, Oct. 6 to 7, 2003.

Soh A.C. 2004. What you see is not necessarily what you get. Selecting the ideal plant. Paper presented at MPOB’s PAC Seminars. Bangi, April 2004.

Soh, A.C., Wong, G. and Tan, C.C. 1988. Oil palm micropropagation. Unexpected variation in field test. Paper present at Louis Vuitton – Moet Hennessy Conference, Versailles, France. (Also Agricell Report: Nov. 1988:34 )

Posters presented at conferences, seminars and workshops 

Newsletters, others 
Soh, A.C. 1975. Genetic studies on mosaic virus resistance and agronomic characters in chilli (Capsicum annum L.). M Agric. Sc. Thesis. Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 129 pp

Soh, A.C. 1988. Oil palm micropropagation. Unexpected variation in field tests. Agricell Report 11:34