The UK Cereal Pathogen Virulence Survey (UKCPVS) confirms the presence of new races of yellow rust and brown rust in winter wheat.
Yellow rust (Puccinia striiformis) samples collected from three farm crops of Warrior winter wheat earlier this summer have re-infected the variety in the first round of testing by the UKCPVS at NIAB TAG.
NIAB has been awarded EU approval for its plant variety DUS testing of a range of agricultural species, as part of a European-wide assessment by the European Union Community Plant Variety Office (CPVO).
For an agricultural variety to be added to a National List and be freely marketed in the UK and EU, it must be tested to show it is distinct, uniform and stable (DUS) and have satisfactory value for cultivation and use (VCU). For a grant of Plant Breeders’ Rights to be awarded to a variety, it must meet the DUS standards for the species.
NIAB TAG is investigating the possibility of at least one new race of brown rust (Puccinia triticina) on UK winter wheat following this year’s severe disease epidemic.
The United Kingdom Cereal Pathogen Virulence Survey (UKCPVS), managed by NIAB TAG and funded by HGCA and Fera, received an unprecedented number of brown rust samples this year. Although it is still very early to assess the epidemic’s impact, most winter wheat varieties were affected by the disease at some level.
Cambridge News’ Business Magazine July edition has a feature on NIAB and an interview with our CEO Dr Tina Barsby – view the interactive online magazine or click here to download a PDF of the article
The National Institute of Agricultural Botany (NIAB) welcomes the central conclusion of the House of Lords Agriculture Committee report into Innovation in EU Agriculture that agricultural science and technology must be at the heart of the EU’s response to food security, climate change and resource conservation.
NIAB TAG pathologists have identified Fusarium culmorum as the fungus responsible for causing the striking pinkish red sporulation being found on the lower nodes of some winter wheat crops in the East of England.
The later than usual development of Fusarium this year is the result of the dry spring and early summer. NIAB TAG is now assessing the incidence of the disease on different wheat varieties.
Farming Futures, the award-winning communications initiative on climate change, is joining forces with the Centre for Excellence in UK Farming (CEUKF).
Following this year’s Foresight report on ‘The future of food and farming’, it is now widely recognised that a broad process of change is needed to support a thriving and sustainable UK farming and food supply sector, whilst managing the impact of climate change and threats to our natural resources.
NIAB TAG has received funding of £1.25 million to further develop its independent crop and agronomy research and knowledge exchange programmes.
The new resources will safeguard NIAB TAG’s unique long-term farming systems studies and boost the organisation’s firm commitment to the communication of openly funded agronomic research to farmers and the agricultural industry.
NIAB is part of a consortium of UK research groups which has secured a £7million research grant from the BBSRC to increase the diversity of traits available in wheat through a major new public sector pre-breeding programme (https://www.niab.com/news_and_events/article/173). The key members of the consortium include:
Members joined NIAB TAG staff at the Black grass Centre at Little Staughton.
The black grass centre has 3 key objectives:
