Refreshing crop genetic biodiversity

Genetic biodiversity is the fuel that drives crop improvement.  However, in major cereal crops, while the traditional method of crop improvement has brought significant yield improvements over time, it has also resulted in a drastic loss of crop genetic biodiversity. 

As a result, many of our crops have lost resilience, becoming potentially vulnerable to a range of stresses, from environmental factors to disease.  Continued loss of genetic diversity could severely affect crop yields and threaten the sustainability of economically and socially important end uses.

Understanding How Antimicrobial Resistance Spreads on Farms: The Role of Biosolids, Manure, and Slurry

Digging into the Problem: AMR in Agricultural Ecosystems

The use of antimicrobials in livestock farming has proven essential for maintaining animal health, but are known to contain resistant bacteria due to the use of antimicrobials in livestock. As bacteria become resistant to these treatments, they can spread resistance genes into the wider environment when animal manure or slurry is used as fertiliser.

NMEG report: Improving policy and practice for agricultural nutrient use and management

Domestic agriculture provides most of our food consumption and contributes to export revenues and rural livelihoods. At the same time, it is a key sector where management and production changes can reduce pressure on the environment, including air, water, climate and biodiversity.

More efficient and better targeted use of nutrients both in crop and livestock production has positive impacts on a range of policy outcomes in the UK, as has been highlighted in policies for climate change mitigation and adaptation, biodiversity, circular economy, competitiveness and public health.

Assessing Scotland’s self-sufficiency of major food commodities

Achieving food security has gained prominence in the present policy agenda to increase resilience to adverse events. Using a novel method, we estimated the food balance sheets of Scotland, and assessed the self-sufficiency of major food commodities for the first time. We found that Scotland can produce enough cereal, potatoes, lamb, beef, dairy, and eggs to meet its own needs, but it still depends on imports of poultry and pork. Wheat and dairy from Scotland are especially important, as they significantly contribute to the nation's overall energy, protein, and fat intake.

Dr Ruth Hamilton

Ruth is a barley geneticist with the International Barley Hub based at the James Hutton Institute. Ruth is interested in improving the long-term sustainability of barley. Her current work focuses on developing barley material with improved genetic diversity.

Ruth Hamilton

James Hutton Institute
Errol Road
Dundee
Scotland
DD2 5DA

Climate Change Adaptation: 2nd Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture (ENRA) Science, Evidence and Policy Conference

Following the success of the first ENRA Science, Evidence and Policy conference last year, the conference returned this year to provide a forum to discuss key cross cutting strategic issues affecting Scotland’s environment, communities and rural economy. In addition to showcasing excellence in Scottish Government funded research, the event facilitates building networks and collaborations across science and policy - vital for effective and timely action for climate change adaptation.

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