News article

NIAB is a pioneering plant science organisation based at the heart of the Cambridge science, technology and university communities and a thriving UK agricultural industry.

With over 90 years experience in the agricultural and food sectors, NIAB has an internationally recognised reputation for independence, innovation and integrity. Our traditional activities have always focused on science-led plant variety and seeds characterisation, evaluation, quality control and knowledge transfer

JOINT PRESS RELEASE from abc, NFU, NIAB, Rothamsted Research, The Sainsbury Laboratory

Does the UK need a strategic plan for growth in the agricultural technology sector in order to address global food security, sustainably, and to keep pace with growing competition from emerging markets?

Cases of Septoria disease with unusually short latent periods and the ability to go through the infection cycle quicker than normal, have been found in winter wheat in East Anglia, says NIAB TAG.

“I’ve now seen several cases of Septoria tritici on Leaf 2 where the winter wheat crop was only just at GS39. This shouldn’t be ‘biologically’ possible because Leaf 2 hasn’t been out long enough to become infected, go though a normal latent period, and then show symptoms,” explains Bill Clark, NIAB TAG’s Commercial Director.

 It’s a bit like the question ‘what did the Romans ever do for us - apart from roads, sanitation, education, aqueducts, medicine...’

Ten new varieties have been added to the 2012 Recommended Grass and Clover Lists for England and Wales, with three varieties promoted to the Fully Recommended category following four years of provisional recommendation.

Summary

NIAB wins BBSRC funding as part of the Crop Improvement Research Club (CIRC) for research into the 'production of wheat lacking B-type starch granules'. 

BBSRC NEWS RELEASE

The Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) is announcing nine new industry-relevant crop science projects as part of the Crop Improvement Research Club (CIRC).

Long-term rotation studies are rare in our industry due to short-term commercial and financial pressures, but they can provide powerful agronomic and financial information for UK farmers.

Oilseed rape growers and advisors can explore the science behind the crop’s recent developments to better understand how they can improve on-farm production and crop marketing at this season’s first NIAB Innovation Farm workshop.

Bill Clark, newly appointed Commercial Technical director at NIAB TAG is warning against any complacency when it comes to yellow rust; with levels of active rust currently increasing dramatically across a wide range of varieties.