“Understanding the patterns genetic variation recorded in the genomes of crop plants promises to reveal how the process of mutation and natural selection has allowed plants to become successful in their own specific environmental niche How did barley, a plant native to the Middle East and South-Western Asia, become able to be grown on land from just below the Arctic Circle to the equatorial highlands and southerly latitudes? The answer lies in the combined forces of evolution and natural selection, according to recent research published in the influential journal Nature Genetics. More
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"By combining archaeobotany and crop-specific genetics, this study has produced novel insights into the origins of our one of our most important crop plants. An international team of researchers from leading institutions in Scotland, Germany, Israel and the USA has succeeded for the first time in sequencing the genome of 6,000 year old barley grains from the Copper Age (the Chalcolithic). Their results, which report the oldest plant genome to be reconstructed to date, are published now in the online version of Nature Genetics. More information from: Bernardo Rodriguez-Salcedo, Media Manager
Scientists from the University of Glasgow and the Moredun Research Institute have published data from a comprehensive analysis of the changes that occur in milk during mastitis caused by a bacterial infection of the udder.
“This work will help us to understand how the cellulose synthase complex works, how plants form cellulose and how they lay it down in the patterns that provide strength and structure to the plant. A Dundee and Manchester collaboration has found out more about one of the most abundant biological substances on the planet. Dr Piers Hemsley from the University of Dundee and James Hutton Institute, and Professor Simon Turner from the University of Manchester have been studying cellulose - the major structural component in plants. Related content Cell and Molecular Sciences Piers Hemsley More
"It is key to work with Ethiopian researchers and stakeholders to identify potential mechanisms which can help farmers in Ethiopia to become better equipped to cope with drought A collaboration involving the James Hutton Institute and the University of Aberdeen has been awarded approximately £450K to carry out two research projects into building resilience to drought in Ethiopia and the interaction between organic resource use and food, energy and water. Related content Anja Byg Anke Fischer More information from: Bernardo Rodriguez-Salcedo, Media Manager, Tel: +44 (0)1224 395089 (direct line)
"One of the Institute’s most successful and long-running field events, Fruit for the Future this year returns to its roots with an evening fruit walk around Mylnefield Farm in Invergowrie Farmers, agronomists, representatives of the food and drink industry and scientists will come together next week (Thursday 14th July, 4.00 to 6.30pm) at the James Hutton Institute’s Dundee site to take part in Fruit for the Future, the Institute’s annual celebration of soft fruit science. More information from: Bernardo Rodriguez-Salcedo, Media Manager, Tel: +44 (0)1224 395089 (direct line), +44 (0)344 928
“This research will generate new data and knowledge to answer challenges across whole rotations and provide information and tools to allow farm businesses to make rewarding and sustainable rotational decisions. Four new projects addressing challenges in soil and water management across whole rotations have been awarded £1.2m in funding from the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB). The interrelated projects will form a five-year programme of research to help farmers and agronomists optimise soil and water management decisions and plan environmentally and economically
"Now in its eighth year and for only the second time in Aberdeenshire, the free event is an opportunity for arable farmers, businesses and industry with an interest in cereals to take advantage of the latest scientific research and technologies. Cereals industry representatives, farmers, agronomists and scientists from all over Scotland and beyond are expected to descend on Saphock Farm near Oldmeldrum next week (Tuesday 5 th July, 2.30 to 7.30pm) to take part in Cereals in Practice 2016, the annual showcase of variety trials and research organised by the James Hutton Institute, Scotland's
“The industry has an effective range of fungicides with which to manage late blight but the pathogen population is able to evolve rapidly and it is important that management practices are also updated when required. 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 and reveals novel genetically diverse isolates in some
"Together with farmers, growers, policy makers and agencies, the James Hutton Institute aims to make the best of our soils to help to deliver sustainable economic growth in Scotland and beyond. An organic farm in Perthshire has been awarded the prize for Best Soil in Show at the Royal Highland Show 2016. Hugh and Sascha Grierson of Newmiln Farm were declared the Best Soil in Show winners by National Farmers Union of Scotland president Allan Bowie, and Professor Colin Campbell, Chief Executive of the James Hutton Institute. More information from: Bernardo Rodriguez-Salcedo, Media Manager, Tel: