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"We are helping to tackle COVID-19 where we can; it can be surprising how we might help, so please don’t hesitate to ask. We will try our hardest" In line with the latest COVID-19 guidance from the UK and Scottish governments, most of James Hutton Institute staff members are working remotely. Nevertheless, rest assured we're still available – the big challenges of our time, including the climate emergency and food security issues, are still urgent and COVID-19 will add to the urgency to develop a more resilient world. By email, social media or phone, we’re happy to help. More information from

"Within this project, we aim to identify climate-resilient and disease-resistant potato varieties tailored to potato production systems in Kenya and Malawi" Potato is a key food and cash crop contributing both to food security and the local economy in Kenya, Malawi and elsewhere in sub-Saharan Africa. However, crops in the region are frequently affected by low yields and plant pest and diseases, with a significative impact on communities’ livelihoods. Related content Cell and Molecular Sciences Lesley Torrance More information from: Bernardo Rodriguez-Salcedo, Media Manager, James Hutton

"Scotland's Hydro Nation Vision builds on the recognition that water is of central importance to the economy of Scotland, both as a sector in its own right and as a critical resource in Scotland’s manufacturing, agriculture, food and drink, tourism and energy sectors" To mark World Water Day, the James Hutton Institute has taken part in an aquaNOW Audience on the topic of 'Water and the Climate Crisis'. aquaNOW Audiences are interactive panel discussions, produced by OOSKAnews, engaging international water experts and Scottish expertise in global water-related challenges and solutions, filmed

"It is fundamental and vital that soil health is appropriately funded and supported if we are to tackle the global challenges that our planet faces" “Soil is life. We breathe the air, we drink the water and we eat the crops, we live on the soil. Soil stores twice as much carbon globally as the vegetation above ground and is a universe of microbial life working with plants to balance the carbon, nitrogen and oxygen levels in the air. It is fundamental and vital that soil health is appropriately funded and supported if we are to tackle the global challenges that our planet faces.” More

"'Social tipping’ describes the rapidly accelerating process of societal transformation that must replace existing incremental approaches if catastrophic climate change is to be avoided" Countries around the world must induce ‘social tipping’ dynamics by introducing far-reaching social and technological changes if they are to successfully decarbonise and prevent the devastating consequences of climate change, an international research consortium including the James Hutton Institute argues. More information from: Bernardo Rodriguez-Salcedo, Media Manager, James Hutton Institute, Tel: +44 (0

“We hope this research will realise the value of crop residues and result in better air quality, reduced degradation of soils, improved crop production and additional income to farmers” An international research team featuring scientists from the James Hutton Institute is exploring the potential of biochar - a carbon-rich type of charcoal - to address air pollution, climate change, food security and farmers’ incomes in India. More information from: Bernardo Rodriguez-Salcedo, Media Manager, Tel: +44 (0)1224 395089 (direct line), +44 (0)344 928 5428 (switchboard) or +44 (0)7791 193918 (mobile)

"This event provides a valuable learning experience for Hutton students in communicating their work to the wider scientific community and promotes a collegiate atmosphere" The annual Hutton Postgraduate Student Event, which showcases the excellent science being undertaken by postgraduate students at the James Hutton Institute, took place at the Birnam Arts and Conference Centre, Birnam, on Thursday 5th and Friday 6th March 2020. More information from: Bernardo Rodriguez-Salcedo, Media Manager, James Hutton Institute,Tel: +44 (0)1224 395089 (direct line), +44 (0)344 928 5428 (switchboard) or

“The weather in 2019 was very dry and unfavourable for late blight development in some regions but very conducive for blight in other regions like Denmark and Northern Britain” An international consortium including the James Hutton Institute which tracks the European spatial distribution of Phytophthora infestans, the plant pathogen responsible for potato late blight, has updated the distribution of the pathogen by adding new data that visualises the distribution and diversity of dominant clones in the 2019 crop. Related content Cell and Molecular Sciences David Cooke More information from