Building Robustness in Crops: Improving dicotyledonous crops for sustainable crop rotation

Lead Research Organisation: John Innes Centre
Department Name: UNLISTED

Abstract

Abstracts are not currently available in GtR for all funded research. This is normally because the abstract was not required at the time of proposal submission, but may be because it included sensitive information such as personal details.

Technical Summary

Work Package (WP) 4 aims to provide a step change towards understanding the genetic basis of plant responses to environmental challenges with a focus on dicotyledonous UK crops. To this end we will exploit existing and novel genetic tools and resources.

Crop rotation is an essential part of farming practice required for consistent crop performance. In the UK winter wheat rotation is primarily supported by oilseed rape and to a lesser extent pea and field beans. With wheat as the focus of the DSW ISP we have dedicated this WP to the improvement of dicotyledonous crops in particular Brassica and pea.

Stable predictable yields in variable growing seasons caused by climate change will assist in maintaining resilient supply chains. It will enable us to grow crops with reduced pesticide inputs despite feeding pressure from growing insect pests. Faster breeding techniques will increase the probabilities that breeders can outpace climate change and keep our crops well adapted. New varieties will support expanded supply chains using controlled indoor environments shielded from variation in the external environment. Increased stability in pea yields will increase the number of UK farmers willing to grow pea and support a dietary transition to higher consumption of plantbased protein foods. Using AI-Based approaches we will provide unprecedented biological insights into how plants respond to complex environmental conditions in different growing seasons. This work will enable us to explore the fundamental mechanisms of gene regulation growth and reproduction in a field context with aims guided by the strategic need for more resilient crops. Our aim is to create germplasm with superior climate adaptation and increased resilience to variation in weather (temperature and rainfall) between growing seasons in Brassicas and pea. To do this we will create new methods for identification of loci important in adaptation new methods for investigating adaptation to seasonal temperature variation and investigate the genetics of robust performance under specific challenges identified through engagement with the supply chain.

Planned Impact

unavailable
 
Description Insect Decline and UK Food Security consultation
Geographic Reach National 
Policy Influence Type Implementation circular/rapid advice/letter to e.g. Ministry of Health
 
Description Defra farming futures
Amount £1,000,000 (GBP)
Organisation Department For Environment, Food And Rural Affairs (DEFRA) 
Sector Public
Country United Kingdom
Start 01/2024 
End 12/2026
 
Description Collaboration with Elsoms Seeds 
Organisation Elsoms Seeds
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Private 
PI Contribution We ran field trials and create mapping populations
Collaborator Contribution They help us score traits. They may exploit resulting materials.
Impact none yet
Start Year 2023
 
Description Collaboration with Rothamsted Research 
Organisation Rothamsted Research
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution We contribute genomics work, genome sequences, seed, glasshouse space and labour for plant growth, crossing and field trials to make a Magic population in OSR and phenotype the parents.
Collaborator Contribution Rothamsted contribute glasshouse time and labour for plant growth, crossing and field trials to make a Magic population in OSR and phenotype the parents.
Impact none yet
Start Year 2023
 
Description Collaboration with sainsbury laboratory, cambridge 
Organisation University of Cambridge
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution We discussed expertise in seed science
Collaborator Contribution Proivision of materials related to ABA sensing
Impact no outcomes yet
Start Year 2023
 
Description Collaboration with the University Of Leeds 
Organisation University of Leeds
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution We used our innovative field plot warming system in collaboration with researchers at the University of Leeds to investigate effects of climate warming on winter wheat.
Collaborator Contribution Our partdners provided seeds, knowledge and manpower top enable the field trials at JIC.
Impact One outcome was a responsive mode proposal to BBSRC to continue the work.
Start Year 2022
 
Description Collaboration with the university of hertfordshire 
Organisation University of Hertfordshire
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Provision of field trials and Brassica diversity
Collaborator Contribution measurements of disease load
Impact none yet
Start Year 2023
 
Description New partnership in break crop research 
Organisation Associated British Foods PLC
Department British Sugar
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution We made our expertise in transformation and gene editing available
Collaborator Contribution Our partners brought expertise in sugar beet value chaiuns
Impact Grant applications and awards.
Start Year 2024
 
Description Pea transformation 
Organisation National Research Council of Canada
Country Canada 
Sector Public 
PI Contribution Testing and optimising pea transformation protocols.
Collaborator Contribution The laboratory of Dr. Pankaj Bhowmik is providing expertise and material for testing and optimising pea transformation protocols.
Impact Nothing to report yet.
Start Year 2023
 
Description Rapid cycling Brassica genome consortium 
Organisation Max Planck Society
Department Max Planck Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology
Country Germany 
Sector Charity/Non Profit 
PI Contribution Advice and project management for genome sequencing. Growth and preparation of materials for sequencing, genome assembly.
Collaborator Contribution Funding for genome sequencing
Impact Generation of genome sequence.
Start Year 2023
 
Description Rapid cycling Brassica genome consortium 
Organisation Max Planck Society
Department Max Planck Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology
Country Germany 
Sector Charity/Non Profit 
PI Contribution Advice and project management for genome sequencing. Growth and preparation of materials for sequencing, genome assembly.
Collaborator Contribution Funding for genome sequencing
Impact Generation of genome sequence.
Start Year 2023
 
Description collaboration with NIAB 
Organisation National Institute of Agronomy and Botany (NIAB)
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Provision of field trials and oilseed rape diversity.
Collaborator Contribution Measurement of virus loads
Impact none yet
Start Year 2024
 
Description collaboration with the Swedish university of agricultural sciences 
Organisation Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
Country Sweden 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution We submitted to joint funding opportunity and received an award for the postdoc fellowship.
Collaborator Contribution They provide expertise on floral development.
Impact none yet
Start Year 2023
 
Description BASF - research in Brassica 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact Meeting with BASF to develop further work interactions in Brassica. Further interest in current research was raised.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
 
Description BBC Radio 4 "Start The Week" appearance 
Form Of Engagement Activity A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press)
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Appearance as a guest on BBC Radio 4's "Start The Week" show (42 minutes) with colleagues from Oxford and Kew on a show titled "Mysterious Plants". Audience for the show reaches 3 million according to BBC invite. Multiple engagements and feedback via email and Twitter, including offers of collaboration and public questions. Audiences very keen to hear more about plant science, an often under-reported topic.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2024
URL https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001wxkb
 
Description Discussion on Brassica Research - MandS 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact Discussed current Brassica work and potential for further interaction.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
 
Description Engagement with industry - Perfectly Fresh 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact Discussion on potential for further collaboration and targeted grant application
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
 
Description Lecture - UEA Plant Genetics and Crop Improvement MSC, Brassica Genetics 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Postgraduate students
Results and Impact Lecture to MSc students on Brassica Genetics
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
 
Description Lecture - UEA Plant Genetics and Crop Improvement MSC, Brassica Genomics 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Postgraduate students
Results and Impact Lecture to MSc students - Brassica Genomics
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
 
Description Lecture on inclusion of disability in biosciences (University of Exeter Penryn) 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Postgraduate students
Results and Impact Invited to give a public lecture and panel Q&A for the University of Exeter Penryn Inclusivity Matters! seminar series covering disability inclusion in biosciences. Approximately 80 postgraduate and undergraduate students, faculty, and staff attended and asked questions and were engaged. Attendees asked many questions and attitudes about disability changed in a positive manner.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
URL https://www.exeter.ac.uk/departments/inclusion/nep/projects/inclusivitymatters/
 
Description Lecture on inclusion of disability in biosciences (University of Guelph, Canada) 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Postgraduate students
Results and Impact Invited to give a public lecture in person for the University of Guelph, Canada covering disability inclusion as the inaugural speaker of the College of Biological Science Community Seminar Series. Approximately 70 postgraduate and undergraduate students and faculty as well as university administrators attended. Attendees asked many questions and attitudes about disability changed in a positive manner.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
URL https://www.uoguelph.ca/cbs/events/2023/12/disabled-field-navigating-nature-and-academia-disabled-sc...
 
Description Morley Innovation Day 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Local
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Work displayed at farming open day. Promoted questions and discussion on Brassica research.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
 
Description Morley Innovation day 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact We present the work in the ISP to visitors at Morley Farms
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
 
Description Novo Nordisk engaement meeting 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Supporters
Results and Impact Visit to JIC from potential charitable funding body
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
 
Description Radio program involvement - BBC Womans Hour 
Form Of Engagement Activity A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press)
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Media (as a channel to the public)
Results and Impact Participant on Womans Hour Radio show on Brassica
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
 
Description Schools Q&A virtual visit (Greenwood Primary and Nursery School, Nottingham) 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Schools
Results and Impact Virtual Q&A visit to Greenwood Primary and Nursery School in Nottinghamshire to answer questions from Year 3 students about plant sciences and how they can become involved in science.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2024
 
Description Schools visit and farm day, Bawburgh School (Bawburgh, Norfolk) 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Schools
Results and Impact Two separate events with Bawburgh School. Visited the school and led six classrooms (ca. 15 students each plus staff, Reception to Year 5) on pollinator observations in a nearby meadow and the school classrooms. Students also visited the JIC Church Farm experimental station and learned more about pollination and floral structure and smell on a second day. Students expressed interest in the subject and asked questions about how to become scientists.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
 
Description Teaching pratical course - Genome Wide Association Studies 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Postgraduate students
Results and Impact Teaching of UEA MSc students in GWAS.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
 
Description Visist from HZAU 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Visit from HZAU delegation to discuss research commonalities
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
 
Description Visit by Debiie Harding - BBSRC 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact Visit from BBSRC to discuss current research
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
 
Description Visit from LSPB 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact Visit from LSPB to discuss field experimentation and learn scoring methodology
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
 
Description Visit to Tozer seeds Pyeports 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact Visit to plant breeding company and facilities to discuss current research and potential interest
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
 
Description visit and talk to DSV rapeseed breedersa 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact Around 50 plant breeders from major breeder DSV attended my talk on environmental adaptation of winter rapeseed to the UK climate. We had a discussion and shared follow up materials.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2024