NIAB News Archive - December 2007
NIAB’S AGRICULTURAL AID TRIP TO MOLDOVA SNOWED OFF
[Posted December 2007]
A planned agricultural aid trip to Moldova by a team of scientific experts from the National Institute of Agricultural Botany had to be postponed at the last minute due to treacherous snow conditions in the Eastern European country. 
Prof Wayne Powell, Chief Executive of Cambridge-based NIAB, was due to fly out on a six day visit last Friday, 4 January, along with two fellow scientists and John Law, from the charity Central and Eastern European Ministries, who organised the trip.
The team had travelled to Luton airport for their flight to Bucharest, but it became clear that even if they were able to fly, that strong winds and snow drifts had blocked roads to Moldova, the poorest country in Europe, and there was no guarantee they would be able to reach their destination in time to complete their mission.
Prof Powell now hopes to the visit the region in May:
“Although we are disappointed, we will re-schedule our trip for later this year and focus on preparing for establishment of the demonstration site in May 2008.”
John Law said:
“It was very frustrating for the whole team to be unable to get into the region, but photographs of the roads in SE Romania illustrate just how bad 
the weather had made driving conditions. We live in a relatively benign part of the world weather-wise, but in Moldova they have to cope with extremes of temperature (-20 to +40 Celsius) annually and we were aware that there was a risk of us being able to get into Moldova and not getting out. We have been unfortunate to catch this period of blizzard conditions in Romania so that we could not even get into Moldova”
Prof Powell, and team members Mike Day, Don Pendegrast and Terry Rugg, had planned to set up poly tunnels in the village of Burlacu, which has a population of 1,200, and establish a mini research site to demonstrate how various crops can be grown to provide food over a longer growing season; for example cabbage, which can be produced throughout the year, as well as maize, peppers, tomatoes and sweetcorn.
Further information is available from Prof Wayne Powell at NIAB or from John Law, Secretary of Central and Eastern European Ministries, can be contacted on 01480 394321.
HUMAN SKILLS STILL VITAL AFTER 90 YEARS OF NIAB SEED TESTING
[Posted December 2007]
England’s Official Seed Testing Station, based at the National Institute of Agricultural Botany in Cambridge, has just reached its 90 year milestone.
Its laboratories play a vital role in promoting seed quality and introducing new plant varieties in support of UK agriculture. It ensures that the highest standards are maintained, and that the finest crops are produced as a result of using seed fit for purpose.
The reason the Official Seed Testing Station (OSTS) started is as relevant today as it was back in 1917 when it was originally based in London, before moving to its present NIAB site in 1921 – to ensure food security. Between 1914-1918, there was an urgent need for increased home food production and this resulted in new legislation requiring seed to be tested for purity and germination before use.
Today, global concerns about the impact of climate change on crop production mean that these challenges still very much exist. Seeds are stringently scrutinised and approved for certification following EU directives. The technical protocols followed have been developed by the International Seed Testing Association, of which the OSTS is a member, and strives to establish uniformity in seed testing world wide.
The NIAB seed testing laboratories are designated as the Official Seed Testing Station for England and Wales by DEFRA. Highly skilled seed analysts closely monitor the quality of testing carried out at 28 licensed laboratories throughout the country where 12,500 seed lots are certified each year, mainly cereals, along with other crops like grasses, pulses, oilseed rape and vegetables. They carry out random tests on 5% of these seeds to ensure that quality standards are maintained. They also provide staff training at home or around the world. The OSTS is used by farmers and merchants for advisory and information purposes, with the range of species extending to include flowers, trees, herbs and spices, as well as enforcement of the legislative requirements.
The seed testing station, headed by Dr Steve Jones, can boast a wealth of experience as many of the long serving staff remain dedicated to their very painstaking work; five of the nine staff have clocked up between 30 and 39 years service each.
It is a job which requires excellent eye sight and patience, a steady hand and a good memory. The training requires the ability to identify at least 150 species of plant just by looking at the seeds and to name them using the specific botanical name as this will be understood by seed analysts and seed traders worldwide. In fact, some staff have far exceeded this and can identify more than 400 species by sight. The real skill is in being able to see one seed of a different species in 25,000 seeds.
Dr Jones says that many of the methods used in seed testing have not changed since the 1900s.
He said: “One essential piece of ‘equipment’ has always been a well trained seed analyst able to tell apart by sight over 200 species of crop and weed seeds to allow purity and other plant species examinations.
“As a result of our expertise, there is no doubt that NIAB has gained a high reputation for monitoring the quality of British crops and promoting the use of better varieties and high quality seeds.
“It is very rewarding to know that the test results we produce help in the production of quality produce or products on sale in our shops and supermarkets.”
In most cases, the useful clues for the identification of seeds comes from size, shape, colour, surface, markings, texture and the shape and positions of the attachment scar. But seeds, like all living organisms, are inherently variable and not all the usually typical features may be developed.
At the OSTS, seeds are normally examined by eye and for some species with an x8 or x10 hand lens, or a binocular microscope with magnification up to x40 in difficult cases.
Up until 1974, only women worked as seed analysts at the OSTS; men may have felt deterred because of the manual dexterity involved in handling the small seeds.
Janice Day, who has had 32 years experience as a seed analyst, said:
“Seeds are beautiful, they fascinate me and the work is a challenge. I think this was a much better alternative than the choice I was faced with of working in an office. I have always been known for my very good eye sight and you soon learn how to develop images in your mind and recognise the different shapes, colours and textures.”
Seed specialist Jane Taylor, with 39 years experience as a seed specialist, described her love of the job:
“It is a unique job with a lot of variation and even after 39 years, there is still an opportunity to learn more. Much of my work has involved liaison with customers who export seed worldwide. It’s interesting to check out produce in supermarkets for its source of origin. For example, broccoli may have had seed tested here for an ISTA certificate and the seeds will perhaps go to Kenya and then come back here as produce in our shops.”
Dr Jones described what was likely to happen in the next 90 years:
“Our future challenges are to pass on the expertise to younger team members and provide innovative solutions to measuring and recording purity and germination. Possible solutions include using robotics, image analysis and visual recognition
systems.
“It is easy to forget how good the human brain is at recognising shapes and objects and how practical it is to look through a kilogram of seeds to find the odd one out. Perhaps in 90 years time, there may be some helpful software or extra bits of kit, but I am sure there will still be the need for the human touch.”
Archived photographs of the OSTS are available by contacting Jane Taylor.
NIAB STAFF TO SET UP AGRICULTURAL AID SITE IN MOLDOVA
[Posted December 2007]
A team of scientific experts from the National Institute of Agricultural Botany plan to visit Moldova next month, the poorest country in Europe, and set up an agricultural aid site.
The former Communist-run country suffered its worst heatwave in living memory last summer when wells – their main source of water - dried up for the first time in 70 years.
The four-man NIAB team from Cambridge, headed by Chief Executive Prof Wayne Powell, will be given a 2-hectare plot of land by the mayor in the village of Burlacu which will be transformed into a productive agricultural site to demonstrate how different crops can be grown successfully throughout the year. It will become a community project and a best practice model for nearby villages.
The trip, between 4 – 10 January, is being organised by the charity Central and Eastern European Ministries (CEEM), whose Secretary John Law, a former NIAB scientist, said the Moldovan region was desperately in need of agricultural aid.
Most of its land is presently being used to grow vines, threatening their food security. There is also little knowledge or access to improved cultivars or sources of seed to plant new crops.
Prof Powell, and team members Mike Day, Don Pendegrast and Terry Rugg, plan to set up poly tunnels in the village, which has a population of 1,200, and establish a mini research site to demonstrate how various crops can be grown to provide food over a longer growing season; for example cabbage, which can be produced throughout the year, as well as maize, peppers, tomatoes and sweetcorn.
Prof Powell said he was looking forward to helping Moldovans in this hands-on project which would make a real difference to their lives, helping them to produce healthy crops, as well as providing advice and sponsorship in the poorest European country.
He said:
“I am delighted to be involved in this project and explore how the skills and expertise of NIAB can help improve the lives of Moldovans. Indeed this project has galvanised all our staff who are collecting clothes and other old office computers and equipment which will be taken to road lorry next spring.”
Mr Law said CEEM was thrilled to have the support of NIAB, recognised as a world leading agricultural research company, and that it was a unique partnership with the village mayor and local church.
He said the region also suffered from a lost generation of 30-50 year olds who have moved to other countries to work, leaving their young children and elderly parents behind. This has added to poverty and an increase in starving “street children” who the local church is caring for. These children are expected to help with the project too.
Mr Law said:
“We hope that this demonstration farm will be in the centre of the village so villagers can come and see their local best practice. I am confident word will spread and there will be tremendous interest from neighbouring communities who will want to replicate this. NIAB will supply the poly tunnels and may sponsor, or seek a sponsor, for its irrigation which could also be extended to the whole village.
“This is a very important visit to promote self sufficiency in crop production during future year, regardless of the climatic conditions. We are also hoping NIAB’s high profile support will encourage other organisations and seed companies to follow suit and offer sponsorship too.
“NIAB is uniquely placed to help provide technical expertise with the appropriate technology solutions that can make real differences to the lives of so many in an often overlooked part of Europe. It is an extremely worthwhile humanitarian and agricultural project to support.”
Further information is available from Prof Wayne Powell.
John Law, Secretary of Central and Eastern European Ministries, can be contacted on 01480 394321.
AUSTRALIAN GRAIN EXPERT VISITS NIAB TO DISCUSS DROUGHT TOLERANT CROPS
[Posted December 2007]
The challenges of producing crops to feed future generations when climate change is causing drought stress were discussed when a leading Australian grain expert visited The National Institute of Agricultural Botany in Cambridge yesterday (27 November).
Peter Reading, Managing Director of The Grains Research and Development Corporation, spent the day at NIAB, learning about its innovative research projects. The GRDC is a major investor in research and development for Australian cereal crops.
Mr Reading said:
“The reason for my visit is to look at possible areas of collaboration in plant breeding, to develop and understand the drivers for genetically improved crops which will be essential in future years. We need to develop, change and improve crop varieties because of climate change. NIAB is developing genetic tools and traits which can be used safely for these varieties.”
NIAB’s Director, Prof Wayne Powell, said:
“This is a really important visit because it builds on the existing relationship between Australia and NIAB and we are looking for an opportunity to collaborate with GRDC’s investment of $130 million (Australian dollars) in crop based research and provide strong strategic leadership in this area. We are keen to build on our existing links. It was a very successful and productive visit.”
The focus will be on developing and producing crops which are drought tolerant, including wheat. Australia was last year reported to have suffered what scientists called a ‘one in a thousand year’s drought’.
Pic caption: Prof Wayne Powell, (left), Director of NIAB, welcomes Peter Reading at their Cambridge site.
Further information is available from Prof Wayne Powell, CEO and Director of NIAB.
Press Officer Ellee Seymour is available on 01353 648564 or 07939 811961.
NIAB SCIENTSTS VISIT CHINA TO LEARN ABOUT THEIR PLANT BREEDING AND GENETIC RESOURCES
[Posted December 2007]
Prof Wayne Powell, Chief Executive of the National Institute of Agricultural Botany, is making a fact-finding visit to China this week to learn more about the country’s plant
breeding and genetic resources, and to raise NIAB’s international profile.
Prof Powell will attend three major events, two of which he will speak at. His first stop is in Beijing on 8 and 9 December where he will attend a meeting of the Generation
Challenge Programme, an international research network which uses genetic resources to develop tools and technologies that enable plant breeders in the developing world to
produce better crop varieties for resource-poor farmers.
Prof Powell chairs the Generation Challenge Programme’s Advisory Committee and regards this meeting as a vital collaborative opportunity to discuss advancing agriculture in developing countries.
Also in Beijing, Prof Powell will speak about genetic diversity at the China/UK Wheat Workshop on 10 and 11 December. Three senior scientists from NIAB will also attend this
event. They are Site Director, Dr Tina Barsby; head of Plant Genetics, Breeding and Evaluation, Prof Andy Greenland; and Statistical Geneticist, Dr Ian Mackay.
Prof Powell will then travel to the China-EU Science Technology Year 2007 at Wuhan where on 13 December, he will give a talk entitled: “Crop Science Research in the 21st Century”. This international organisation promotes deepening of partnerships as a way to foster more enduring exchanges of ideas, people and resources, which is particularly crucial now as China and the EU aim to open their research programmes for greater collaboration, leading to an improvement of mutual understanding.
Prof Powell said:
“This visit strengthens NIAB’s representation in China, as well as UK-China links. The fact that three of our senior scientists are also visiting reflects the growing importance of NIAB’s international presence and collaboration with major players.
“China holds very unique genetic resources and we are anxious to know how we can combine modern genome science with novel genetic resources.”
With the world production of wheat at a 10 year low, Prof Powell believes their innovative research into wheat is of great significance and will be of considerable global interest in China.
He added:
“China has an intensive domestic research effort on wheat breeding and have produced new varieties of wheat with resistance to stem rust. The visit will catalyse new opportunities for collaboration between the UK and China.”
Further information is available from NIAB on 01223 342000.
Further information about the events can be found at Generation Challenge: http://www.generationcp.org/index.php and China-EU Science & Technology Year 2007: http://ec.europa.eu/research/iscp/eu-china/index_en.html
NIAB WELCOMES GOVERNMENT SCIENTIFIC ADVISER’S SUPPORT FOR GM CROPS
[Posted December 2007]
The National Institute of Agricultural Botany has today welcomed an announcement made by Sir David King, the government's chief scientific adviser, in support of GM technology and its research to help develop new crops.
Cambridge-based NIAB is the only plant science research organisation in the UK which has this year conducted research on GM crops, a field trial for blight resistant potato. There are none currently being carried out in Britain.
Prof Wayne Powell, NIAB’s Chief Executive and Director, hopes Sir David’s endorsement will be heeded by the nation. He believes Sir David was correct in warning about the future need for GM crops to cope with an increasing global population, water scarcity and potential food shortages.
Prof Powell said:
“GM science and technology provides huge potential benefits and we should be grabbing these opportunities with both hands. Our regulating framework is the tightest that exists and Sir David is correct in stating that there can be more risk involved with eating ordinary food than GM food.
“NIAB has competency, capability and independent governance which allows for development of this new technology to be done safely. Trials are carried out under very stringent conditions in accordance with DEFRA’s regulations. Our science based evidence can provide crucial information to help decision makers.
“Unless we grasp the technology and have confidence in the regulatory system, then we will go through a huge innovation bottleneck where opportunities that have been created are not going to be exploited. People are shying away from exploiting this technology, they are going abroad instead.
“GM technology is crucial as the way forward to help feed the world, particularly those in drought stricken countries like Africa, and our independent research is looking at ways of achieving this at a time when farmers face increasing challenges from drought stress and climate change.
“I also strongly believe that the food produced in the UK should be trialled and evaluated here, and not abroad. We have the scientific skills and I have every confidence that our scientists could lead the way in this.”
Further information is available from Prof Wayne Powell, CEO and Director of NIAB.
Press Officer Ellee Seymour is available on 01353 648564 or 07939 811961.
News from our Regional Centres:
[Posted December 2007]
Virtually all trials are sown with the exception of a few late season disease observation plots so things are settling down into the winter maintenance period. Slugs have been a problem at a few sites where trials have been drilled into ‘cobbly’ conditions but other than that, cereals are looking good with little disease showing. Oilseed rape in the south is recovering from a slow start due to dry conditions after sowing and the mild autumn has helped the smaller plants to catch up. As with cereals, disease levels are low. Sugar beet harvest in ongoing with two sites remaining, yields have been high with record levels overall.
For further information contact: Simon Kerr