Home

While many of us have been complaining about the cold and snow this winter, some UK fruit growers are happy with the lower temperatures and the length of time that they have been around.

Winter chill, prolonged periods when the temperature stays above freezing but below 7^oC, is essential for the successful growing and harvesting of many perennial woody crops, particularly fruits such as apples, pears, blackcurrants and hops.

And recent warmer winters in many areas where fruits are grown, including the UK, have taken their toll. Milder and shorter winters may now be seen as the norm. And declining winter chill is expected to be a growing problem as temperatures continue to rise as a result of climate change.

Now, in a bid to help commercial growers across the world, plant specialists at East Malling Research acknowledge the need to seek a more detailed understanding of the science behind the winter chill effect that triggers consistent time of blossoming, and subsequent fruit development which maximises the yield potential the following summer.

Head of Science at East Malling Research, Chris Atkinson, said: “We must not fall into a false sense of security after this winter. We need to be investing in approaches that enable UK growers to adapt to the changes already apparent in winter chill as well as the further decreases forecast to occur by the end of the century.

“Our climate records, kept since 1913, when compared to data from other UK locations, show that throughout the country the amount of winter chill has already declined. In the south-east we are already experiencing a 12 per cent reduction in the number of chill hours each winter, while the number of spring frosts has declined by a much higher percentage.

“Climate scenarios of the future suggest that as concentrations of greenhouse gases continue to rise, and global temperatures increase, the amount of chill the UK receives will decline further. Under the worst-case greenhouse gas emissions scenarios, winter chill in Kent has been predicted to decline by more than 50 per cent by 2080. Winters will continue generally to become shorter and milder. This winter has been closer to our experiences of 25 years ago.

“This will impact significantly on growers. As the south-east’s climate fails to deliver the period of chill and dormancy required for maximising the yield of commercial perennial crops, the traditional varieties that require larger amounts of chill will likely be disappearing or migrating north to chillier or longer winters.

“UK fruit production can ill afford any reduction in production efficiency given the economic situation and the demands for high production efficiency per unit of available land.

“Forward-looking growers will need advice on how to adapt to these new demands in order to sustain UK-based food production levels. This may require the use of alternative cultivars with lower chill requirements.

“There may also be a need to use entirely novel replacement crops which have low chill requirements. UK grape production is increasing and this crop generally has a much lower chilling requirement than traditional tree fruits, particularly apples.

“We also need to consider that similar declines in winter chilling are likely to become apparent in other fruit producing areas around the world including those that are key to the UK reliance on imports of perennial fruit out of the UK season; we need to step up our R&D in this area to sustain overseas growers as well.

“We need more research into measuring and modelling chilling responses in perennial plants. We are unfortunately unable to advise growers regarding the chill requirements of newly available fruit cultivars.

“With a greater fundamental understanding of how plants actually measure and respond to chilling we should be able to help growers overcome some of the negative consequences of warmer winters. For example, this could include breeding programmes to develop cultivars that can thrive with less chilling and produce the high quality plants and fruits with the long-term storage capacity we need to supply UK consumers. “

Honey bees (Apis mellifera) are important in contributing to food security, primarily through crop pollination but also through local food production. They are also an essential pollinator of wild plants and therefore, contribute to local environmental biodiversity. In recent years there have been increased threats to honey bee health, including pests, diseases and resistance to commonly used treatments for Varroa.

In recognition of these threats, Defra and the Welsh Assembly Government are implementing the ‘Healthy Bees Plan’ which recognises the importance of working together with commercial and amateur beekeepers, their Associations and other stakeholders to promote and improve honey bee health.

There is a strong public interest in honey bees together with increased interest in the environment and awareness of declines in the number of bees which has encouraged more people to take-up beekeeping.

To better understand how to support new and existing beekeepers Defra has commissioned East Malling Research and People Science and Policy Ltd to explore beekeeping husbandry practices and where beekeepers get advice and information. The results of the study will be used to improve advice and training.

To gain results that are useful and relevant the study needs to hear from beekeepers, especially those with less than two years experience. To take part in the study beekeepers in England and Wales should go to www.pspq.com/beestudy before the end of February 2010.

East Malling Research (EMR), recognised as an international centre of excellence for fruit research, will now focus totally on the advancement and application of horticultural science following a corporate restructure.

Under the auspices of Dr Mike Solomon, Chief Executive of EMR, the team of scientists will continue to help UK and international growers to improve production and quality, safeguard the environment and adapt to the impact of climate change.

Until now, EMR’s activities at East Malling have also included commercial operations. As a part of the restructuring, the East Malling Trust for Horticultural Research will become an incorporated charity limited by guarantee and EMR and East Malling Ltd will become subsidiaries of the Trust.

Commercial activities that would previously have come under EMR will become the responsibility of Adrian Padfield, Chief Executive of the East Malling Trust for Horticultural Research, who will also head up East Malling Ltd. This company will manage the East Malling Conference Centre, property lettings, the East Malling Farm and Malling Fine Foods, together with the commercial operations of the East Malling Trust.

Commenting on the restructuring, Dr Ian Graham-Bryce, Chairman of East Malling Trust for Horticultural Research, which is the UK’s largest independent funder of fruit research and owner of the 600 acre farm estate, said: “Recently Hilary Benn Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, heaped praise on the work of the team at EMR and rightly said that food security is as important to this country’s future well-being, and the world’s, as energy security.

“This move allows the EMR management to focus on what they do best, and that is horticultural and scientific research and their already strong ties with industry and Defra to secure further funding for their work. The Trust will continue its strong support for EMR, which in recent years has been running at approximately £1 million annually.”

A one day conference, organised jointly by East Malling Research (EMR), Sainsbury’s and English Apples and Pears Ltd (EAP) will focus closely on all important aspects of the UK pear industry from production, to market and consumers.

There is a great opportunity for the UK pear industry to expand to meet growing consumer demand for UK produce, which is presently undersupplied. Organisers have therefore invited leading experts from across Europe to discuss how UK pear orchards can be made more productive and profitable and the steps that need to be taken to encourage UK growers to expand production.

The weaknesses and limitations of UK orchards and production methods will be analysed and compared with that in continental Europe where pear growing is regarded as more profitable than apple growing, to see what practical lessons can be applied by UK growers.

Examples of what UK-funded science at EMR has to offer the pear grower will also be presented, including control of pear sucker, a devastating pest of pears, and in the application of field irrigation strategies to pear production systems.

· The UK pear market and industry Adrian Barlow, English Apples and Pears Ltd

· The economics of intensive pear production Wouter van Teeffelen, WTE Fruitadvies, NL

· Pear breeding for the ‘Alternative Variety’ Jean-Paul Reynoird, Pepinieres Georges Delbard, FR

· Application of water research to pear growing Mark Else, East Malling Research

According to Adrian Barlow of EAP “Against the background of the upsurge of consumer demand for local supplies and the Government’s call for an increase in UK horticultural production of 20-25%, the UK horticultural industry is presented with enormous opportunities. UK pears account for less than 20% of total UK demand. As an industry, we need to identify the factors that constrain UK production and also the solutions to the problems. This event should be extremely helpful for the whole of the industry in reaching some conclusions.”

For more information and booking forms, please contact Ursula Twomey, Telephone 01732 843833, e-mail ursula.twomey@emr.ac.uk, www.eastmallingresearch.com

FARMERS and consumers alike could reap the benefits of more sustainably produced local cherries and plums, thanks to East Malling Research (EMR).

Tree specialists at EMR have launched a major initiative to combat sustainably the most common pests and diseases facing stone fruit growers in the UK, enabling more of the fruit to be grown and sold locally.

EMR is looking at new, more environmentally-friendly ways to control common pests and diseases – such as aphids, brown rot, plum fruit moth and light brown apple moth – without leaving chemical residues.

The EMR team has joined forces with specialists from the Natural Resources Institute at the University of Greenwich at Medway, the University of Kent at Canterbury and Warwick-HRI to share expertise.

The scientists will be designing a sustainable integrated pest and disease management system for commercial growers that will leave no chemical residues within the fruit and have significantly less environmental impact than previous approaches to commercial stone fruit production.

The five-year research project is being supported through the Horticultural LINK programme by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and the Chemicals Regulation Directorate (CRD).

It is also being backed by a wide range of industry partners including Sainsbury’s, K G Growers, Berry World, Summer Fruit Co, and Mack Multiples, as well as the Horticultural Development Company and East Malling Trust.

Introducing the research project at an East Malling Tree Fruit Day, the research consortium chairman, John Leigh-Pemberton, said: “There have been longstanding difficulties discouraging commercial growers of stone fruits – traditional tree size, weather conditions leading to fruit splitting, pests and disease, and an over-reliance on pesticides.

“However, the effects of climate change and the development of new varieties are promising a much brighter future for reliable stone fruit production in the UK.

“We have resolved the tree size issue, we can overcome fruit skins splitting and all that is left is tackling frequent pests and diseases – including more recent arrivals such as the light brown apple moth.

“We are now focusing on biological controls, reducing the environmental impact of growing these fruits, encouraging improved biodiversity and meeting consumer demand for residue-free fruits.”

The research team headed by Professor Jerry Cross, of EMR, is looking at a range of biological controls and approaches based on a deeper understanding of the lifecycles and spreading mechanisms of pests and diseases.

For example, the team noted that common black ants thriving in undisturbed soil in orchards not only take advantage of the honeydew produced by aphids but also assist in moving aphids to new tree shoots and areas within the orchard. One method of aphid control under investigation is exploiting the ants to carry entomopathogenic fungi that will attack the aphids and leave the ant unharmed. The technique has proved already successful in both the laboratory and field trials.

Another strand of the research programme involves developing sex pheromones to attract pests such as the plum fruit moth and the light brown apple moth to disrupt reproductive cycles and better target spraying programmes.

· EMR is the principal UK provider of top-class basic, strategic and applied horticultural research

· EMR scientists integrate their knowledge of breeding, molecular genetics, genomics, pest and disease biology and management, crop and post harvest physiology, agronomy, environmental science, food product development and consumer research, to address current industry issues and deliver innovative solutions

· EMR is currently engaged in eight HORTLINK projects including integrated pest and disease management, optimising water use and using plants as soil biomfumigants

For further information or to arrange a visit to East Malling Research please contact:

· Delphine Houlton, Andrew Metcalf or Andy Rayfield, at Maxim, tel: 01892 513033

Bradbourne House, a privately owned, Grade 1 listed house and for the thirtieth consecutive year, its gardens will be opened to the public on Sunday 25 April in aid of the National Gardens Scheme.

The house displays excellent examples of Queen Anne period architecture disguising an original Tudor period house, with fine rooms, halls, staircases and a unique collection of watercolours and portraits.

The Hatton Fruit Garden, formerly the walled kitchen gardens of Bradbourne House, consists of demonstration fruit tree plantings of particular interest to amateurs.

Originally planted in 1945 and inspired by the fruit plantings in Louis XIV kitchen garden at Versailles, the fruit garden was set up as a memorial to the art of tree training and pruning and as a source of information for gardening enthusiasts. The concept was to establish a fruit garden with trees planted at appropriate spacings to show the economic use of ground, without over-crowding. Although selective tree removal and replanting has occurred, many examples of the original planting remain.

Staff from East Malling Research will show how the fruit trees have been trained and pruned to produce cordons, espaliers, goblets, pyramids, fans, arches, crowns, le bateau, arcure forms etc. In fact, 25 different training methods are on display. In addition, there are examples of 47 varieties of apple, 28 varieties of pear and individuals of medlar, nectarine, peach and fig.

Admission £3.50. Children (under 16) free. Entrance on New Road, East Malling, Kent off the A20.

For more information, please contact Ursula Twomey, Telephone 01732 843833, e-mail ursula.twomey@emr.ac.uk, www.eastmallingresearch.com

Bradbourne House, a privately owned, Grade 1 listed house and for the thirtieth consecutive year, its gardens will be opened to the public on Sunday 25 April in aid of the National Gardens Scheme.

The house and gardens are owned by the East Malling Trust of whom world-renowned East Malling Research is now a subsidiary.

The Hatton Fruit Garden, formerly the walled kitchen gardens of Bradbourne House, consists of demonstration fruit tree plantings of particular interest to amateurs.

Admission £3.50. Children (under 16) free. Entrance on New Road, East Malling, Kent off the A20.

For more information, please contact Ursula Twomey, Telephone 01732 843833, e-mail ursula.twomey@emr.ac.uk, www.eastmallingresearch.com

Mr John Harrison, Headteacher at Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for Boys, said: “Commander Antonelli’s visit has been inspiring. We work hard at the school to help boys set themselves challenging targets and goals; to pursue personal excellence. Tony’s talk showed the boys how much can be achieved with hard work and determination and I am sure it will live long in the memories of everyone lucky enough to have been there”.

Tony Antonelli, who was visiting the school as part of a national tour, is a veteran of two space flights whoand has himself experienced weightlessness and the freedom from gravity for 24 days, 3 hours, 57 minutes and 35 seconds. In his last flight Tony Antonelli docked with the International Space Station and completed 186 orbits of the Earth, travelling 4,879,978 miles in 11 days, 18 hours, 28 minutes and 2 seconds.

Tony Antonelli was joined on the mission by Piers Sellars, a former pupil of Cranbrook School, who was born in Crowborough.

ENDS

--
Andrew Metcalf
Director
Maxim
Tel: 01892 513033
Fax: 01892 513081
Mob: 07990 574680
E-mail: andrew@maxim-pr.co.uk
Web: www.maxim-pr.co.uk

As well as getting the chance to visit historic Bradbourne House at East Malling, members of Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council’s rural board had the opportunity to meet scientists at the cutting edge of UK horticultural research.

On a visit hosted by The East Malling Trust, Members toured East Malling Research, widely recognised as a national centre of excellence. They also visited Bradbourne House, a stunning Grade 1 listed building that can trace its roots back to Tudor times and is now a thriving venue for events and weddings under the Trust’s management.

Bradbourne House, and surrounding buildings, including the historic Stable Block, is also an increasingly important centre for local employment, with more than 40 businesses operating on the 600 acre farm estate, near Maidstone.

Will Sibley, recently appointed Chairman of the Trust, took the opportunity to showcase its role as the UK’s largest independent funder of horticultural research and the value of the industry to the UK economy. He also highlighted how the development of dwarfing rootstock technology and fruit storage techniques had transformed the world’s top fruit industry, such as apples and pears.

He said: “When it comes to the Borough’s rural economy, the Trust and the scientific work undertaken by East Malling Research is something which Tonbridge & Malling, and Kent, can be very proud of. The work is helping to underpin the country’s ability to produce more food and also reduce our reliance on imports and improve our food security.”

Cllr Mark Worrall, Leader of Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council, says: “I would like to thank Will Sibley and the East Malling Trust for organising a most interesting visit, which gave us all a fascinating insight into the valuable research being undertaken at the Research Centre. There is no doubt that the Trust is playing a vital role in helping to sustain the UK economy and I look forward to hearing more about the innovative technologies and techniques that are being developed.”

As the use of water in agriculture becomes a growing national issue due to drier winters and warmer summers, the board met the East Malling Research scientists who are developing techniques to help potato growers use less irrigation water. As a crop, potatoes account for more than half of all the irrigation water used by agriculture in the UK.

The scientists also demonstrated their innovative pest control techniques as well as the strawberry breeding programme managed by Dr David Simpson, which is creating the strawberry varieties of the future.

For further information please contact:
Andrew Metcalf, Maxim Tel: 01892 513033 E-mail: andrew@maxim-pr.co.uk

22 July 2010

New Fund to Finance Research Fellowships

The next generation of applied scientists who will underpin the future health of the horticulture industry are to be given financial support following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding.

The agreement struck between the Horticultural Development Company (HDC) and The East Malling Trust (EMT) will see the setting up of a fund for awarding Research Fellowships. HDC will provide the monies to establish and maintain the fund and HDC and EMT will together agree a mechanism for the fund to operate. It is envisaged that the fund will build towards supporting four or five research fellowships of £40-50K p.a., depending on emerging research priorities.

Recognising the fact that world-class research rarely if ever happens overnight, the Research Fellowships will be awarded on the basis of a minimum five-year contract.

Signed at Fruit Focus, held at East Malling Research on Wednesday, July 21, the agreement will establish a Research Fellowship Fund to provide financial support for applied science, designed to nurture the horticultural sector.

The new Fund, provided by the HDC, will be administered by EMT and overseen by a Governance Committee. The committee will ensure the research matches the needs of the industry and its initial membership will consist of two representatives from EMT and HDC, and one representative each from Horticulture Trade Association and British Protected Ornamentals. One representative each from ADAS, East Malling Research and Stockbridge Technology Centre will be invited to be in attendance at each meeting of the committee.

Signing the Memorandum of Understanding, Will Sibley, the recently appointed Chairman of EMT, said: “This funding will enable the industry to develop its nationally significant work, and to facilitate the employment and mentoring of a new generation of science specialists.

Neil Bragg, Chairman of HDC and a co-signatory of the Memorandum, said: “This is an extension of the HDC’s commitment to develop the applied scientist capability for the industry. The HDC Board recognises that without such an approach there will be no continuity of science provision for the future.”

ENDS

For further information or photographs please contact: Andrew Metcalf, Maxim
Tel: 01892 513033 E-mail: Andrew@maxim-pr.co.uk

Co-operation is root to scientific success, says leading horticultural institutions

The University of Reading and East Malling Research in Kent have announced a new collaboration to advance research in horticultural crop science.

The two institutions have signed an important Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) as part of their ongoing commitment to further learning and knowledge in this area.

The MoU was signed by Professor Gordon Marshall, Vice Chancellor of the University of Reading, and Dr Mike Solomon, Chief Executive of East Malling Research, at a ceremony at the University.

The newly-forged relationship opens the door for the development of joint research programmes exploiting the strengths of both organisations. This will include joint bids for funding for research and knowledge transfer, a closer involvement of East Malling Research in the University’s research on the National Fruit Collection at Brogdale, and the training of the next generation of crop scientists.

The MoU will help ensure that research in horticultural crop science is economically sustainable and supported adequately by industry. The agreement also outlines how the two institutions will tackle the issues of academic standards and quality, Intellectual Property and funding over the next five years.

Dr Mike Solomon said: “This agreement is a strong statement of intent to foster genuine and mutually beneficial collaboration and one which we are confident will be well received by the horticultural sector and those organisations that support it. The MoU comes at a time when a spirit of collaboration and co-operation, rather than competition, is much needed.”

Prof Gordon Marshall added: “The University of Reading's and East Malling Research's MoU brings together the complementary skills of two leading UK horticultural research providers to meet future food security challenges. Research collaboration, rather than competition, is the way forward in responding to society's and industry's horticultural science research needs. I hope that this MOU sends an important positive signal to both government and the horticultural industry.”

The University of Reading has an international reputation in the food security and its alumni have produced many of the key players throughout the food supply chain.

Reading has long been involved in researching the impacts of climate change in agriculture and horticulture and remains a leader in this field with its investment in the Walker Institute for Climate Systems Research. In recent years the University has pioneered and championed the use of spectral filters and ushered in a new generation of crop forecasting techniques with the grower in mind.

East Malling Research is widely recognised as the UK’s leading research centre for the horticultural industry. As well as developing the first dwarf rootstocks and storage technologies, which are now used throughout the world, the scientists in Kent have been at the heart of improving the sector’s ability to improve yields, environmental performance and adapt to the impact of climate change.

The scientists at East Malling Research recently completed the DNA fingerprinting of more than 2,200 apple and 500 pear trees in the National Fruit Collection at Brogdale, near Faversham, which is managed by the University of Reading on behalf of Defra (the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs).

For more information please contact either Rona Cheeseman, press officer at the University of Reading, on 0118 378 7388 or email r.cheeseman@reading.ac.uk or for EMR enquiries, Andrew Metcalfe on 01892 513033 or email andrew@maxim-pr.co.uk

Ornamentals enthusiast Fiona Wilson is on a fact-finding mission to discover the main problems being faced by UK growers.

Fiona is the latest recruit to the ornamentals team of scientists at East Malling Research (EMR) dedicated to researching and developing sustainable solutions to boost the horticultural sector.

EMR, based in Kent, is internationally renowned for its work in tackling pests and diseases, plant breeding, genetic fingerprinting and developing new approaches to production techniques – including using less water while improving both quality and yield.

Fiona’s career has involved several jobs in plant science research and horticulture most recently as Principal Trials Officer at the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Gardens at Wisley.

She said: “The scientists at EMR are probably best known for their work with top and soft fruits but their understanding of ornamentals is also great. They are an excellent resource for all UK growers.

“I am going to be spending lots of time meeting key growers across the country and discovering the difficulties they are currently facing with their ornamentals. I will then be liaising with our science teams to come up with ways of developing solutions which will help boost commercial production.”

Away from the office and laboratory, Fiona is a keen fruit and vegetable grower on her allotment.

“My interest in plants probably goes back to gaining my Gardening Badge as a Brownie. Recognising that this was not sufficient qualification for a career in plant sciences however I later did a degree in botany at the University of St. Andrews.

“Joining the ornamentals team at EMR is a great opportunity. I am combining my keen interest in the science of plants with my enthusiasm for developing the UK horticultural industry,” said Fiona.

For further media information, or to arrange a visit to East Malling Research, please contact:

Foragers should now be enjoying an autumn feast of blackberries, rosehips, sloes and other hedgerow fruits.

The bumper number of berries and fruits is mainly down to the cold weather last winter, according to Chris Atkinson, chief scientist at East Malling Research – the internationally renowned fruit and plant experts.

“Winter chill, prolonged periods when the temperature stays a few degrees above freezing but below 7^oC, is essential for the development and promotion of high yields for many perennial woody crops,” said Dr Atkinson.

“Of course the spring and summer weather has to be good too. This year the conditions have been very favourable, except for a little dry in the south east, for our autumn favourites such as blackberries – although the late spring may have slightly delayed the harvest more than usual.”

Many commercial and garden fruit growers have been enjoying generally good crops this year. However, as a result of climate change, overall the benefits of adequate periods of winter chill are under threat in the south east.

Dr Atkinson said: “This is a serious problem facing growers in the UK and overseas. Last winter was unusually cold compared to what we have experienced over the past 10 years. Generally the required periods of winter chill to maximise yields in a number of fruit producing areas across the world are no longer being achieved.

“There is an urgent need for more research into the mechanisms behind the ways certain plants respond to winter chill. We also need to be working with growers to establish new commercial cultivars which are less dependent on periods of winter chill for reliable levels of fruit production.”

For further information or to arrange a visit to East Malling Research please contact:

Taking to heart their own slogan, ‘Try something new today’, led 140 produce managers from one of the UK’s leading supermarkets, to find themselves at East Malling Research, the UK’s centre of excellence for fruit and horticultural research.

The visit to Kent is part of Sainsbury’s ongoing campaign to ensure its produce managers in London and the South East fully understand how the buyers source the products, and growers grow the produce that they manage everyday on their shelves.

A key part of the day was an opportunity for the produce managers to see for themselves the Sainsbury’s Concept Pear Orchard, which will shortly be harvesting its first crop of 25 tonnes less than two years after being planted, and much faster than in traditionally managed pear orchards.

The orchard, developed in partnership with Chingford Fruits, a major supplier of fruit and vegetables to Sainsbury’s, and also in conjunction with East Malling Research, is designed to demonstrate the commercial opportunities of growing Conference pears in the UK using best practice from very productive growing systems used in other parts of the world. Modern trellising, root pruning and water management techniques, have made the Sainsbury’s concept orchard a real commercial demonstration showing UK growers that Conference pears can be a viable crop here in the UK.

Dr Theresa Huxley product technologist for apples and pears who has worked hard to promote collaborative working between growers, suppliers and Sainsbury’s said: “As a supermarket we sell 40 per cent of all UK conference pears and have made a commitment to supporting this quintessential English fruit and the businesses that grow them.

“It is important that each of our produce managers understand the production process and how much care and attention our growers take with their crops, then can then spread the good news about what we are doing to improve the productivity and quality of this carefully handpicked fruit.”

Dr Mike Solomon, Chief Executive of East Malling Research, said: “The orchard is an excellent example of what can be achieved through collaboration between retailers, wholesalers and ourselves to help improve the industry. We are confident that once growers realise the potential offered by the techniques being used in the orchard that they will commit to growing the variety and help ensure the future availability of Conference pears in our supermarkets by increasing UK production.”

Chemical compounds found in lavender could be the solution to a major problem faced by the UK’s strawberry growers in combating a disease that causes significant crop damage and economic losses.

Strawberry growers, crop protection companies and the general public look set to benefit from a major project being undertaken in Kent. Scientists at East Malling Research, near Maidstone, have been tasked with helping the nation’s strawberry growers by assessing the ability to replace chemicals, now banned by the European Union, with ones derived from plants, including lavender.

Thanks to funding from the government’s Technology Strategy Board, scientists at East Malling will now develop new techniques for protecting strawberries against a major soil borne disease - Verticillium wilt - and develop new techniques for minimising damage by this plant pathogen.

The harmful soil borne disease is caused by the fungus, Verticillium dahliae, which is capable of seriously damaging UK strawberry production, with the market leading variety Elsanta, particularly prone to the disease. Crop failure can be up to 75%, but even a 10-15% loss due to Verticillium in affected areas would lose growers approximately £8-12 million nationally.

Following the banning of the use of methyl bromide by the European Union, and with alternative chemical controls having an uncertain future, UK strawberry growers urgently need to find an effective way to protect their crops.

The alternative approach, biofumigation, is based on the process of using plant-derived volatile chemicals to control soil borne diseases. Building on previous Defra funded research carried out at East Malling Research, the scientists will use natural chemicals developed from lavender and brassica crops to suppress the damaging fungus. This will involve the use of a patented micro-encapsulation technology, developed by Essex based Eden Research.

Chris Atkinson, Head of Science at East Malling Research, said: “Finding practical, alternative ways of tackling diseases like these is important commercially for growers and our ability to increase the amount of food we can grow in this country. It also offers significant benefits as it will enable growers to replace toxic chemicals with others that are much less damaging to the environment.”

The four year research project will be led by Berry Gardens Growers Ltd, with the detailed research work being carried out by East Malling Research and the Natural Resources Institute. Other industrial partners are Eden Research PLC, BerryWorld, Sainsbury's, Tozer Seeds Ltd (Plant Solutions), K&S Fumigation Services Ltd and CPM (Retail) Ltd.

Alongside the biofumigation project, scientists at East Malling are also developing new varieties of strawberries, which are naturally resistant to soil borne diseases, including the Verticillium fungus, as well as having improved drought tolerance and therefore better placed to adapt to climate change.

1. The Technology Strategy Board is a business-led executive non-departmental public body, established by the government. Its role is to promote and support research into, and development and exploitation of, technology and innovation for the benefit of UK business, in order to increase economic growth and improve the quality of life. It is sponsored by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS). For more information please visit www.innovateuk.org.

· EMR is the principal UK provider of top-class basic, strategic and applied horticultural research.

· For further media information, or to arrange a visit to East Malling Research, please contact:

The case for growing Conference pears has been given a welcome boost after the team at East Malling Research (EMR) demonstrated UK growers could start to see a return on their investment in less than two years.

The Sainsbury’s East Malling Concept Pear Orchard, developed by Chingford Fruit Ltd based near Dartford and EMR, has just produced its first harvest, with an estimated 12 tonnes, from the orchard’s 3,000 trees within the one hectare site since being planted in March 2009.

The pears, once picked, will be put into coldstore before being despatched to Sainsbury’s stores across Kent, Essex, Sussex and Surrey.

By working closely with Henk Nooteboom, of Verbeek Nursery in Holland, the orchard uses technologies that have transformed the Dutch pear growing industry. The Sainsbury’s Concept Pear Orchard was the first of its kind in the UK to adopt three different growing techniques and a standard control in order to demonstrate which is the most productive in the British climate. The orchard’s four distinct areas are training the growth of the individual trees in either a v-system, conventional system, run through or double head arrangement. The team at EMR have also incorporated irrigation, the ability to fertigate, as well as mushroom mulch and root pruning into the orchard.

Graham Caspell, Farm Manager at East Malling said: “The results of our collaboration with Sainsbury’s and Chingford Fruit Ltd, should send a very strong commercial message to growers. Although there is a significant investment per hectare, the ability to produce a commercial harvest after less than two years growth makes the case for Conference pears a stronger one.”

“Initial results from the harvest suggest that the v-system is the most productive in terms of quantity and the quality of the pears its produced in 2010, ahead of the 'conventional' system, followed by the 'double head' a little further behind and with the 'run through' bringing up the rear.”

In only its first year this new pear orchard is already cropping on a par with traditional pear orchards and we anticipate that next year’s harvest will be considerably higher. While this year’s strong winter chill will undoubtedly have helped, it is clear that this orchard offers significant commercial benefits for UK growers.

EMR estimates that were UK growers to adopt the new improved techniques and methods they would potentially be able to produce 36,000 tonnes of British grown pears, which is nearly three times the 12,500 tonnes currently sold.

The investment is part of Sainsbury’s pledge to increase English top fruit production to meet customers’ growing demands for British produce rather than imports.

Dr Theresa Huxley, Sainsbury's product technologist for pears, said: “Pears are hugely popular in the UK. At Sainsbury’s we sell 36% of all English Conference Pears, the UK’s favourite pear, which is more than any other retailer.

“We hope that by having this orchard we may persuade more UK fruit growers to plant more Conference pear orchards and by working with us give our customers more of what they want – UK grown pears.”

In recent years many unproductive old English pear orchards have been grubbed up with many being replaced by apple orchards, which is putting the UK’s favourite pear on the commercial ‘endangered list’ and making the country increasingly reliant on imports.

Francis Wheatley, Chingford Fruit Technical Manager, said: “The whole reason we planted this orchard was to inform, educate and inspire the UK grower back into pear growing. Pears are no longer for heirs but for now”.

Dr Theresa Huxley added: “We are delighted that our Orchard is located at an industry leading scientific research institute and look forward to using our own commercial scale trial to showcase and share best practice from around the world with British growers. It is another fantastic example of where Sainsbury’s and its suppliers are investing in industry projects which make a real difference to the British grower.”
ENDS

--
Andrew Metcalf
Director
Maxim
Tel: 01892 513033
Fax: 01892 513081
Mob: 07990 574680
E-mail: andrew@maxim-pr.co.uk
Web: www.maxim-pr.co.uk

Media relations – Public affairs – Community relations – Corporate
communications – Reputation management – Event management

The importance of UK horticultural research in ensuring the nation’s food security has been given a further national vote of confidence by the Biotechnology and Bioscience Scientific Research Council (BBSRC).

Kent-based East Malling Research (EMR) has been granted ‘responsive mode’ status by the BBSRC, which is the UK's leading funding agency for academic research and training in the non-clinical life sciences. As a result EMR will now be able to bid for research funding as an ‘independent research organisation’ on any of the BBSRC’s topics, alongside researchers from Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) or Research Council Institutes.

Already approved as a research centre for ‘managed mode’ projects, which enables EMR to respond to capacity building calls from the BBSRC for specific research projects, the new status will extend the potential of EMR’s research capabilities.

Mike Solomon, Chief Executive of EMR, said: “This is great news for EMR and for the horticultural and ornamentals industries as a whole. The decision comes at a time when DEFRA has announced it will be prioritising spending on British farming and food production, as well as enhancing the environment and biodiversity, and supporting a green economy resilient to climate change.

“EMR is now well placed, thanks to its close working relationships with industry, to undertake strategic research which can then be applied in a real life situation.”

Will Sibley, Chairman of East Malling Trust, the UK’s largest independent provider of perennial crop research, said: “We are confident that EMR will now play a greater role in delivering the nation’s scientific priorities and supporting the commercial success of the industry.”

Chris Atkinson, Head of Science at EMR who led on the approval process, said: “The decision, made by our scientific peers, reinforces our unique position as a centre of scientific excellence for research into fruit and perennial crops which will underpin our ability to help growers adapt to meet increased demands for food production against a backdrop of climate change.”

The new status also allows EMR to make bids via the BBSRC LINK scheme and into the BBSRC Industrial Partnership scheme.
ENDS

For further information please contact:

Andrew Metcalf, Maxim Tel: 01892 513033 E-mail: Andrew@maxim-pr.co.uk

Andrew Metcalf
Director
Maxim
Tel: 01892 513033
Fax: 01892 513081
Mob: 07990 574680
E-mail: andrew@maxim-pr.co.uk
Web: www.maxim-pr.co.uk

Wildlife diversity across the South East could be increased if owners adopt new ways of managing the region’s woodlands. That is the conclusion of a two-year partnership project.

A project aimed at improving farm woods and other new native woodland for wildlife, funded by the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, culminated in a series of workshops and publication of a new practical guide to provide woodland owners and managers and local authorities in the South East with the knowledge to enable them to utilise best practice in local farm woodland.

Dr Jean Fitzgerald, entomologist at East Malling Research, said: “Over the past 20 years a considerable area of new native woodland has been planted under various farm woodland schemes. However, much of this woodland contributes relatively little to the biodiversity of the wider landscape. By adopting the best practice suggestions set out in the guide, many owners and managers should be able to significantly increase biodiversity in these new native woods and increase the connectivity of woodlands in the wider landscape.”

The project, which coincides with the International Year of Biodiversity, was led by Bearsted Woodland Trust, and the research was undertaken by scientists from East Malling Research, and independent consultants Dr David Blakesley (Wildlife Landscapes) and Dr Peter Buckley. The team selected new native woods to act as case studies. They assessed aspects of their wildlife value and produced management plans to show how current management practices could be modified to significantly improve the value of the habitat for wildlife.

The most important factors that would increase the value of the farm woodlands for wildlife identified in the case studies were:
·       Management of woodland edges to enrich habitat structure and shrub diversity
·       Provision and management of rides and glades to increase the diversity of plants and insects
·       Management of closed canopy areas to create a diversity of age structures

Details of these techniques are given in the guide, written by Drs Blakesley, Buckley and Fitzgerald, and published by East Malling Research.

The project brought together the collective expertise of Bearsted Woodland Trust, Butterfly Conservation, East Malling Research, Forestry Commission England, High Weald Joint Advisory Committee, Kent Wildlife Trust, RSPB, Sussex Wildlife Trust, Wildlife Landscapes and the Woodland Trust.

Dr Fitzgerald added: “By adopting the management strategies outlined in the guide it should be possible to reduce the effects of climate change, by maintaining diversity in the landscape and aiding the movement of species locally into newly favourable habitats.”

Thanks to a series of workshops, held across Kent and Sussex, it has been possible to demonstrate to a large number of woodland owners and managers the potential value of new native woodland in the wider landscape, and how such woodland can be improved and managed for wildlife.

The three seminars were held at Blackboys in East Sussex; Bedgebury National Pinetum, near Goudhurst; and East Malling Conference Centre.

Limited copies of the book are available free of charge from Monday 15 November. To obtain your copy please email Dr Chantelle Jay at East Malling Research on chantelle.jay@emr.ac.uk, quoting ‘woodland book’ in the subject box and providing your name, full postal address and a contact telephone number.

The book will also be available to download as a PDF from the East Malling Research website at www.eastmallingresearch.com

Esmée Fairbairn Foundation
Established in 1961 by Ian Fairbairn as a memorial to his wife Esmée. Today it is one of the largest independent grant-making foundations in the UK. Its aim is to improve the quality of life for people and communities in the UK both now and in the future by funding the charitable activities of organisations that have the ideas and ability to achieve change for the better.

East Malling Research (EMR) is an independent provider of research and consultancy serving the food chain and other sectors of the land-based industry. EMR builds on 90 years experience of successfully delivering cutting-edge research and development. www.eastmallingresearch.com <http://www.eastmallingresearch.com/>

New native woodland is a term that has been used to describe young woods of twenty years or less that were planted with native tree species.

The future of UK-based mushroom research and development has been safeguarded, following the appointment of a leading scientist by East Malling Research (EMR).

Dr Kerry Burton, internationally recognised for his research expertise in biochemistry and molecular genetics and developmental biology of fungi and plants, has joined EMR as Senior Research Leader.

Describing his work as stretching from high level basic science, and in particular genomics, to practical solutions that directly assist growers, Dr Burton, said: “My move to EMR is a very positive one and has been well received by the mushroom industry. It is also exciting to be given the opportunity to combine applied science and work in an industry-facing organisation.”

Following the release of the mushroom genome in early 2010, Dr Burton’s work has increasingly used genome micro-arrays to focus on disease, and physiological disorders. He is currently working on a diagnostic test for the Mushroom Virus X (MVX) which predicts the disease before it develops and will be an invaluable commercial early warning system for growers. He is also planning to expand his interests in improving the quality of horticultural produce.

Dr Burton, who until recently worked at Warwick-HRI, Wellesbourne, believes his work with mushrooms has the potential to be transferred to other minor crops (non-cereal) thanks to the falling costs of genomics research. He added: “EMR has done some excellent work in transfer its technologies and what it has learned in for example water management from nursery stock to strawberries to now potatoes, and I believe I can do the same with key elements of my research to help the growers of many other crops. EMR’s openness to transfer and share research within the team is to be applauded.”

Already working with one PhD student, Dr Kerry Burton will be building a research team that also calls upon EMR’s other scientific expertise.

In January, Dr Burton will be joined by Professor Ralph Noble who he has worked with at HRI Warwick for many years. As well as being an expert mushroom agronomist, Professor Noble is a UK specialist in the use of waste materials in horticultural growing media and the eradication of pathogens during composting. His work on waste composting, use of suppressive composts to control soil-borne pathogens and controlled composting technology, will play an important and ongoing role in protecting the UK’s mushroom research capabilities.

Commenting on Dr Burton’s arrival, Dr Mike Solomon, Chief Executive of EMR, said: “EMR is delighted to provide a home for the new team and in so doing help to protect the scientific knowledge that he has amassed through his 30 years plus experience in the field of mushroom research. “EMR is delighted to be providing a home for the new team and, in so doing, safeguard the major part of the UK’s mushroom R&D capability and expertise. In addition, Kerry and Ralph bring other scientific skills and contacts that will complement those of the existing EMR research team.”

Dr John Collier, Chairman of HDC’s Mushroom Panel, said: “It is vital that the mushroom industry continues to have access to applied scientific research if it is to remain competitive. HDC strongly support and welcome the move by Kerry Burton and Ralph Noble to East Malling Research”.
ENDS

Caption for photo:

At the November meeting of the HDC Mushroom Panel: (from left) Dr Kerry Burton (EMR), George Pointing (HDC Mushroom Panel), Dr John Collier (Chairman, Mushroom Panel), Mark Komatsu (former Chairman, Mushroom Panel), Richard Gaze (Mushroom Panel), Prof. Ralph Noble (EMR), John Rothwell (Mushroom Panel), Dr Mike Solomon (Chief Executive, EMR)
Regards

Andrew
--
Andrew Metcalf
Director

t: 01892 513033 • m: 07990 574680
Maxim, 8 St John's Road, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN4 9NP
www.maxim-pr.co.uk

Growing national concern that vital applied horticultural research is losing out in terms of funding leaving the country’s scientific expertise in danger of being further eroded or lost, has led to an industry partnership to offer a new programme of science fellowships.

The horticulture industry has recognised that applied research is fundamental to the future health and prosperity of the industry and the need to support key researchers is vital. As a result, the East Malling Trust (EMT), the Horticultural Development Company (HDC) and the Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) have collaboratively developed Horticultural Fellowship Awards.

Applications from scientific research institutions and universities are now being sought. It is envisaged that around five individual Fellowships will be awarded, each worth up to £50,000 per annum and available for up to five years, starting from 01 April, 2011.

The new Fellowships are consistent with the findings of the Taylor Review, published earlier this year. The Review recognised that although UK horticulture retained a world-class science-base in fundamental areas such as genetics and microbiology, there was concern that applied subjects such as agronomy, soil science, entomology, physiology, pathology and weed science are in danger of being lost or severely eroded.

Will Sibley, Chairman of EMT, said: “The partners recognise the need to secure a strong research base and through this industry-wide collaboration we are aiming to provide financial support to these key research areas that farmers and growers value so much. The funding will enable the industry to develop its nationally significant work, and to facilitate the employment and mentoring of a new generation of science specialists.”

Neil Bragg, Chairman of HDC, said: “This is an extension of the HDC’s commitment to develop the applied scientific capability for the industry. The HDC Board recognises that without such an approach there will be no continuity of science provision for the future.”

David Gwyther, Director General of HTA, said: “In the context of the crisis that exists for horticultural R&D I am delighted that key players in the sector have been able to come together to provide funding to assist in relieving the pressure. It is our hope that this fund will also enable the unlocking of even more funds from other sources, including the EU and other funders requiring a demonstration of match-funding. Whilst we are pleased to be able to help, the Government still needs to get to grips with the challenges facing R&D in this sector. Such research is critical in helping them meet their own policy objectives on tackling climate change and enhancing green infrastructure.”

The Horticultural Fellowship Awards have been developed to ensure that the industry does not lose scientists who are critical to the future efficiency and competitiveness of horticultural crops grown in Britain, and should also help ensure some staff succession.

Will Sibley added: “The loss of funding for both fundamental and applied research has resulted in the demise of applied research stations, and, more importantly, the highly experienced applied researchers that they employed.

“It is crucial that research continues to deliver real benefits to UK agriculture and horticulture, not only addressing issues affecting growers today but also in training the next generation of applied scientists.”

The Horticultural Fellowship Fund will be administered by the EMT and overseen by a Governance Committee who will ensure the fellowships awarded match the needs of the industry.

Details on how to apply for a Horticultural Fellowship Award can be found on the HDC website: www.hdc.org.uk/contractors/fellowships
ENDS

Further Information please contact: Andrew Metcalf, Maxim Tel: 01892 513033

The East Malling Trust (EMT)

The EMT aims for the advancement of science for public benefit, primarily through the support of research and development, particularly in the fields of horticultural and other plant based disciplines.

The EMT is responsible for the administration of the Horticultural Fellowship Fund, under the direction of the Horticultural Fellowships Governance Committee.

The Horticultural Development Company (HDC)

The HDC is a division of the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) and aims to make a major contribution to the profitability of the GB horticultural industry by being a top class, efficient and progressive facilitator of near-market horticultural research and development and the associated technology transfer”.

www.hdc.org.uk

The Horticultural Trades Association

The Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) is a modern, leading-edge trade association representing the UK garden industry. The HTA sees the maintenance of a strong horticultural R&D base as critical to the future of the sector. Through the activity of its own Technical Committee the HTA has developed a Technical Strategy and Action Plan that specifically prioritises the needs of the ornamentals industry.

www.the-hta.org.uk

A consortium of researchers working across five continents, including BBSRC-funded scientists in the UK, has published the genome of the wild strawberry (Fragaria vesca). The research, published today (26/12/2010) in the journal Nature Genetics will help strawberry breeders to develop disease resistance and improve fruit quality to benefit consumers.

Dr Dan Sargent, based at East Malling Research (EMR) in Kent, collaborated on the international project as part of the BBSRC (Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council) Crop Science Initiative which was set up to fund research to underpin future plant breeding. Dr Sargent hopes that the genome will help to identify genes that convey disease resistance, particularly to strawberry wilt (Verticillium dahliae) the most wide-spread soil-borne pathogen of cultivated strawberries. Although resistant varieties of strawberry do currently exist, they do not meet the quality criteria required to sell to consumers. Having access to the wild strawberry genome may allow breeders to produce varieties which need reduced pesticide treatment but retain the best characteristics of taste, appearance and nutrition.

The researchers found that the wild strawberry genome possesses around 35,000 genes, about one and a half times the number humans have, most of which, they predict will have been retained by the varieties we eat. Strawberries are a valuable crop with sales of home-grown strawberries in the UK alone of £231M in 2009. The wild strawberry is also closely related to other important food crops including apples, peaches, pears and raspberries, and to roses, and its genome sequence will help breeders of all of these plants to produce new varieties with improved traits.

Dr Sargent said: “The wild strawberry is an important genome to sequence because it is closely related to a number of important things that we eat. Because farmers have been cross-breeding and hybridising food crops for centuries to improve traits like taste and nutritional value they tend to have large complicated genomes but the wild strawberry’s is relatively small so we can get access to all of these useful genes comparatively easily.”

The international group sequenced the wild strawberry genome by breaking it up into millions of short segments which were sequenced individually and then re-assembled. The UK-based team at EMR worked on piecing together the genome using a map based on other strawberry genomes that they had worked on.

Dr Sargent continued: “Historically genomes have been sequenced using a combination of longer and shorter sequences. The shorter sequences are quicker and cheaper to sequence but, like with a jigsaw, reassembling the complete picture is harder with lots of little pieces than with fewer big ones. For the first time for a plant this genome was sequenced entirely using short sequences. We were able to assimilate all of these small pieces at EMR because previous strawberry genomes we’d worked on were like the picture on the box that told us what the wild strawberry’s chromosomes should look like.”

Professor Douglas Kell, Chief Executive of BBSRC said: “Modern sequencing techniques are very powerful and we can now sequence quite large genomes in a matter of days or weeks, as opposed to months or years previously required. Such research produces large amounts of data and these must be shared and stored effectively if we are going to make the most of them. This project relied on the collective expertise of researchers across five continents, but by making their genome sequence freely available to others, they are ensuring that many more talents can put their data to use. This approach will be essential to helping address global food security by providing people with a varied and nutritious diet.”

EMR is the principal UK provider of top-class basic, strategic and applied horticultural research, integrating knowledge of breeding, molecular genetics, genomics, pest and disease biology and management, crop and post harvest physiology, agronomy, environmental science, food product development and consumer research, to address current industry issues and deliver innovative solutions. EMR builds on 90 years experience of successfully delivering cutting-edge research and development.

BBSRC is the UK funding agency for research in the life sciences and the largest single public funder of agriculture and food-related research.

Sponsored by Government, BBSRC annually invests around £470 million in a wide range of research that makes a significant contribution to the quality of life in the UK and beyond and supports a number of important industrial stakeholders, including the agriculture, food, chemical, healthcare and pharmaceutical sectors.

The Babraham Institute, Institute for Animal Health, Institute for Biological, Environmental and Rural Studies (Aberystwyth University), Institute of Food Research, John Innes Centre, The Genome Analysis Centre, The Roslin Institute (University of Edinburgh) and Rothamsted Research.

The Institutes conduct long-term, mission-oriented research using specialist facilities. They have strong interactions with industry, Government departments and other end-users of their research.

Release Date