visitor guide 2015 - niab innovation farm › sites... · margin mix, celtic mix and es nectar...

VISITOR GUIDE 2015

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www.innovationfarm.co.uk The 2015 Guide page 1

CONTENTS

Demonstration Field map Inside front cover

Introduction 2

Field exhibits 3

Ecosystem services 4

Seed certification and cover crops 6

Wheat genetic diversity 7

Mycorrhizal fungi 8

Boxes 9

Willow and Miscanthus 10

In the glasshouse 11

Temperate crops 11

Tropical crops 12

Genetically modified crops 13

Sophi Taylor Building Garden 14

Partners and exhibitors 15


INTRODUCTION

NIAB Innovation Farm is a unique physical showcase of agricultural and horticultural activity, with particular focus on plant genetic improvement, delivered in partnership with academics and industries that utilise develop or produce plant derived or plant based materials. Our central objective is to show how plant resources and crop genetic improvement can help address the major global challenges of sustainable use of resources, climate change, food security and provision of high quality food to enhance health and nutrition.

Promoting the power of plant genetic innovation

Our exhibits and events consider progress in improving: yield quality disease resistance seasonality diversity performance resource use efficiency

Why get involved with NIAB Innovation Farm?

genetic innovation, and translation into practice, is key to addressing societal challenges

one stop shop for learning about and demonstrating innovation

proven platform with wide engagement

industry, policy maker and grower audiences

easy access to experts (research to industry)

source of collaborators

How to get involved with NIAB Innovation Farm

provide a plant genetic innovation for a field or glasshouse exhibit

sponsor a specialist themed event

register as a delegate to attend an event

use our facilities to host an event

To discuss these opportunities or research and innovation e-mail us at [email protected]

mailto:[email protected]


A plan of the field exhibits and demonstration plots is shown on the inside front cover. The Guide is written in the order that the plots are sown in the field. CHIA (Salvia hispanica) Partner: Fairking Ltd Description: Chia is an edible seed that comes from a plant usually grown in Central and South America and dating back to Mayan and Aztec cultures. Chia seeds are a concentrated source of omega-3 fatty acids, carbohydrates, protein, fibre, antioxidants, and calcium. SEED CERTIFICATION - FIELD BEANS Varieties: Griffin, Pyramid and Babylon Description: The International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV) Test Guideline for the DUS testing of Field Beans is now under revision. Characteristics recently identified by NIAB Agricultural Crop Characterisation team as useful in describing distinctness have been proposed for inclusion. These characters (including stem thickness; pod width/length ratio and number of leaflets per leaf) will be discussed at the Technical Working Party for Agriculture in Japan in July 2015. Work carried out here will have an international impact. FESTULOLIUM Festulolium is a hybrid resulting from a cross between perennial ryegrass lines and a range of related Festuca species, producing a grass with stress resistant characteristics. The hybrid crop provides better agricultural grasslands as well as a range of important environmental benefits including: more efficient water and nutrient use than current ryegrass cultivars; effective long-term carbon sequestration; good soil hydrology and flood control; and enhanced soil stabilisation. Hybrid cross: Italian ryegrass x Glaucous fescue (Lolium multiflorum x Festuca arundinacea var. glaucescens) Partner: IBERS Description: Developed for productive forage with greater drought resilience than Italian Ryegrass, especially in the second year. The hybrid combination has been shown to enhance ruminant nutrition and nitrogen utilisation and reduce environmentally damaging diffuse nitrogen pollution by livestock. The fescue species, which are native to upland grasslands in Mediterranean regions, are thought to have evolved protein protective measures against high temperatures equivalent to those found in the rumen. This characteristic may assist in the stabilisation of protein within the grass. Once ingested as forage the protein is less readily degraded in the rumen and ‘escapes’ to the intestine where it is available for conversion into animal protein.

Hybrid cross: Perennial ryegrass x Glaucous fescue (Lolium perenne x Festuca arundinacea var. glaucescens) Partner: IBERS Description: A hybrid combination with good drought tolerance and ruminant nutrition. Very high tillering and prostrate with deep root systems that may increase carbon sequestration. Hybrid cross: Perennial ryegrass x Atlas fescue (Lolium perenne x Festuca mairei) Partner: IBERS Description: A prostrate Festulolium that resembles Lolium perenne x Festuca arundinacea var. glaucescens in growth habit, forage quality, and yield. A useful alternative, and may prove more effective, to the Festuca arundinacea var. glaucescens equivalent under certain environmental conditions. The hybrid is expected to be highly resilient to various stresses and persistent and tolerant to extreme drought. HERBAGE SEED PRODUCTION Supplier: Germinal Holdings Funder: Herbage Technical Levy Fund and National Farmers Union (NFU) Description: UK herbage seed production supplies a growing demand for UK sourced forage mixtures and amenity grasses. Prices are strong and good margins can be achieved, with the added advantage of two crops from a single sowing, additional value in grazing and hay crops, and the opportunity to use different herbicide chemistry on some of the difficult weeds in the arable rotation. NIAB TAG carries out a unique programme of agronomy research funded by the voluntary Herbage Technical Levy and the NFU. The plots demonstrate some of the research findings that have now been translated to commercial crops: AberChoice, AberGain and AberNile. REED CANARY GRASS (Phalaris arundinacea) Supplier: Oakbank Game & Conservation Ltd Description: A tall, perennial bunchgrass that commonly forms extensive single-species stands along the margins of lakes and streams and in wet open areas, with a wide distribution in Europe, Asia, northern Africa and North America. When grown, although drought-tolerant, it likes abundant water and can even be grown as an aquatic plant. It grows well on poor soils and could be used to improve soil quality and biodiversity at brownfield sites. It can be planted as a hay crop or for forage, can be turned into bricks or pellets for burning in biomass power stations, and provides fibres for use in pulp and paper-making processes.

FIELD EXHIBITS


KNAPWEED (Centaurea nigra and C. scabiosa) Supplier: John Bingham, NIAB Description: There are two species of knapweed common in the UK: (Black or Common knapweed) and C. scabiosa (Greater knapweed). Both are perennials, re-growing from a woody root crown. They have an important role in ecosystem services through provision of mid to late summer food for key pollinators such as honey bees, solitary bees, butterflies, bumble bees and hoverflies once pollen and nectar from other wild flowering species and crops are no longer available. In this collaborative project between plant breeder/farmer John Bingham and NIAB work centres on seeking to understand the relative influence of plant genetic resources compared to climatic and environmental conditions. This addresses a potential ‘hungry gap’ for pollinators. The resulting seed heads also attract goldfinches and other seed feeding birds in the autumn.

BUCKWHEAT (Fagopyrum esculentum) Partner: SRUC Description: Buckwheat is a fast-growing summer annual; a short season crop that prefers well drained, low-fertility or acidic soils. Excess nitrogen can reduce yields and the crop is not frost hardy; it can be drilled from about April to June and will bloom in cooler weather in the early autumn. End use: Buckwheat is currently used as a gluten-free alternative to cereals, milled to produce flatbread especially favoured in Asian countries or served as an alternative to rice. Research has shown that buckwheat could be an ideal break crop as it has good phosphate sequestration properties, improving soil fertility and making nutrients available to the following crop. SAINFOIN Supplier: Cotswolds Seeds Variety: Zeus Description: See glasshouse temperate section.

ECOSYSTEM SERVICES NIAB Innovation Farm has demonstration plots of wildflower and grass mixtures providing food and nectar sources for birds and pollinating insects. The mixtures are either commercially available or form part of on-going research. PERENNIAL BROOD REARING COVER Partner: Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT) Supplier: Oakbank Game and Conservation Ltd Description: A perennial cover to provide insect rich foraging areas for farmland birds like grey partridges. It can be established in the autumn or spring. Contains: Sainfoin, winter vetch, birdsfoot trefoil, lucerne, alsike clover, dwarf amenity ryegrass, triticale. SPECIALIST BEE MIX Partner: Moles Seeds and University of Cambridge Description: This mix is designed to match the nutritional requirements and sensory preferences of both honey bees and bumblebees. Foraging bees have to collect sufficient protein (from pollen) to meet the nutritional needs of their developing larvae while also collecting enough sugar (from nectar) to fuel their own flight and metabolism. Plant species with prolific pollen in easily accessible form and species with plentiful nectar are included. Honey bees and bumblebees have different tongue lengths, so the mix also has flowers with long corollas and flowers with more open corollas. Handling flowers can be physically difficult for bees, particularly in windy conditions, so there are plants with petal textures that provide a good grip. Finally there are plants that are visually attractive to bees and can be detected at considerable distances including

highly glossy flowers and those with contrasting pigment spots on their petals. Contains: Snapdragon, borage, cornflower, corn marigold, sterntaler, garden cosmos, foxglove, viper’s bugloss, Californian poppy, sweet rocket, honesty, mallow, fiddlene. OAKBANK GAME AND CONSERVATION LTD Seed mixes: Early flowering mix, Oakbank floristic margin mix, Celtic mix and ES Nectar Flower Mix Description: Showcasing four different mixes and provid-ing Oakbank with the opportunity to evaluate the perform-ance of these mixes under a range of sowing and manage-ment regimes. This will improve understanding and im-prove husbandry advice to clients on the best way to maxi-mise product potential. Seed mix content details available on request OPERATION TURTLE DOVE MIX Partner: Conservation Grade, Pensthorpe Conservation Trust, RSPB Description: A nectar flower mix designed to include early-flowering plant varieties which provide seed food for turtle doves and their chicks in late spring. The seeds of plants associated with arable fields, such as fumitory and chickweed, form the mainstay of their diet. The mix also provides a food source for pollinating insects. Areas of this mix alongside standard nectar flower mixtures will create an extended flowering season and nectar availability earlier in the spring. Contains: Early English vetch, birdsfoot trefoil, early red and white clover, black medick and fumitory.


KINGS POLLEN AND NECTAR MIX Supplier: Kings Game and Conservation Crops Description: This prototype mix is being trialled on farms as a means to provide a combination of nectar through the summer and seed through the following winter from an autumn planting. The inclusion of a range of cornfield annual species also adds to the aesthetic appeal of this mix. Contents available on request. KINGS ENHANCED AUTUMN SOWN WILD BIRD SEED MIX (KEAUT1) Supplier: Kings Game and Conservation Crops Description: Similar benefits to the KAUT1 mixture, however, the addition of coleor kale and perennial chicory allows the potential opportunity for increased longevity. With a greater range of seeds, this mixture may benefit a wide range of bird species. Contains: Coleor kale, fodder radish, forage rape, gold of pleasure, Kings kale rape, linseed, phacelia, perennial chicory, Vittasso brown mustard and triticale. KINGS BASIC AUTUMN SOWN WILD BIRD MIX (KAUT1) Supplier: Kings Game and Conservation Crops Description: Suitable for locations where spring planting is impractical or where previous spring establishment has been poor. Autumn planting offers a potentially higher seed yield and stronger crop structure whilst the canopy through the late spring and summer period can provide valuable brood rearing cover for a range of farmland bird species. Contains: Barley, fodder radish, Kings kale rape, oilseed rape, triticale and wheat. THE OPERATION POLLINATOR MIX (MIXOP) Supplier: Cotswold Seeds Description: Operation Pollinator seed mix is a mixture of legumes without grasses to provide a flower-rich area. The use of this mixture on heavy soil types is an option where sown grasses can become dominant. Contains: Red clover, alsike clover, sainfoin, birdsfoot trefoil, lesser knapweed, musk mallow. HERBAL GRAZING (MIX20) Supplier: Cotswold Seeds Description: Provides grazing for early turnout and continues to produce forage right through the summer and autumn. Containing deep-rooting species, this four-year ley improves soil structure, but also draws up essential vitamins and minerals for the ruminant animal. Contains: Perennial ryegrass, cocksfoot, timothy, meadow fescue, tall fescue, red clover, three varieties of white clover, alsike clover, birdsfoot trefoil, sainfoin, sweet clover, chicory, urnet forage herb, yarrow forage herb, sheep’s parsley, forage herb, ribgrass forage herb.

NECTAR MEADOW (MIXNEC) Supplier: Cotswold Seeds Description: This mixture is a step towards recreating a traditional meadow with wild flowers; it contains five native wild flower species, which are commonly found on most soils. The colourful flowers are included as a nectar source and are particularly attractive to bees and butterflies. Contains: Crested dogstail, smaller catstail, sheep’s fescue, red fescue, smooth stalked meadow grass, lesser knapweed, field scabious, selfheal, birdsfoot trefoil, ox-eye daisy, common bentgrass. SPECIES RICH PARKLAND (MIXPGLM) Supplier: Cotswold Seeds Description: A slow growing and more manageable seed mixture for those with low requirements from permanent grassland. This mixture can be grazed periodically or topped to keep a tidy appearance. Contains: Common bentgrass, crested dogstail, sweet vernal grass, meadow foxtail, smaller catstail, sheep’s fescue, red fescue, smooth stalked meadow grass. FLORISTICALLY ENHANCED MIX (MIXFEM) Supplier: Cotswold Seeds Description: A longer term pollen and nectar source for bees and butterflies. It is more expensive than legume based mixtures but lasts for many years and is a good mixture for wildlife. It contains non aggressive grasses and nine native wild flowers species which are commonly found on most soils. Contains: Common bentgrass, crested dogstail, smaller catstail, red fescue, smooth stalked meadow grass, field scabious, selfheal, yarrow, ox-eye daisy, lady’s bedstraw, meadow buttercup, musk mallow, wild carrot, lesser knapweed. BUFFER STRIP GRASS (MIXGM) Supplier: Cotswold Seeds Description: An ideal mixture for buffer strips on cultivated land. It is suitable for all soil types and creates habitat for small mammals, invertebrates and birds. Its main purpose is to protect vulnerable areas, such as water courses, from agrochemicals and fertilisers. Contains: Common bentgrass, timothy, meadow fescue, red fescue, cocksfoot, smooth stalked meadow grass. SPECIAL GENERAL PURPOSE MEADOW MIXTURE (EM3) Supplier: Emorsgate Seeds Description: A mixture of perennial grass and wildflower seed for establishing flower rich meadows and grassland over a range of soil types and conditions. It may be used to create a diverse sward where conditions vary across a site. It is also useful in situations where precise soil and site characteristics have not been established before sowing. Seed mix contents available on request.


WILD FLOWER MIX FOR BIOGAS AND BIODIVERSITY Supplier: Future Biogas Ltd Description: A mixture of mostly perennial species to maximise biogas production and benefit biodiversity. It includes some annual species to bulk up the first year production while the perennial species establish. The first year crop is harvested in September; subsequent years in early August. The mix flowers from mid-April through to

harvest, providing pollen and nectar for native butterflies and other pollinators. Contains: Marsh mallow, golden marguerite, knapweed, common chicory, wild carrot, common teasel, buckwheat, fennel, sunflower, horse heal, great musk, tree, common and chinese mallow, lucerne, giant sweet clover, sainfoin, dyers rocket, red campion, tansy, common mullein.

SEED CERTIFICATION AND COVER CROPS SEED CERTIFICATION - CEREALS Seed certification provides quality assurance and consumer protection, through documentary control, monitoring of crops, and seed lots. Impartiality and confidentiality for the companies involved is paramount. NIAB carries out the monitoring work related to seed certification on behalf of APHA. Crop Inspector training as part of seed certification is carried out at NIAB, training in excess of 300 inspectors per year. These plots demonstrate some of the morphological characteristics inspectors are trained to observe. COVER CROPS Cover crops can be used to ‘protect and/or improve’ between periods of regular crop production. Seed mixes are common and typically used to support a range of objectives on farm, often around management of soils (structure and fertility), agronomic goals (e.g. to augment pest and weed management strategies), environmental aims (e.g. reducing pollution risks or providing habitat value) and other uses (e.g. supplementary grazing). Species: Oats and Vetch Partner: NIAB Supplier: IBERS - Aberystwyth (oats), Organic Seed Producers (vetch) Description: This mix of a cereal (oat) and legume (vetch) species offers potential for good vigorous growth in the

autumn and the legume component can fix nitrogen. This mix may provide effective ground cover as well as soil improvement and fertility benefits to following crops. The mix would also comply with current CAP reform Ecological Focus Areas (EFA) guidelines for cover and catch crops. Species: Crimson Clover and Black Medick Supplier: Organic Seed Producers Description: This mix of two legume components is based on an approach developed in a Defra, LINK project (LK09106). These two nitrogen fixing legumes have been found to complement each other well. A similar mix is being used in cover cropping studies within the NIAB TAG-led New Farming Systems project. In this study the rotational use of the legume mix cover crop approach has resulted in rotational in yield and margins. Species: Radish and vetch Supplier: Cotswold Grass Seeds (Radish), Organic Seed Producers (Vetch) Description: This mix of a deep rooting brassica (radish) and nitrogen fixing legume (vetch) is used on farm to provide ground cover and soil improvement. The components have different, and complementary, above ground and below ground characteristics. Brassicas in particular can produce deep roots from autumn growth that help to open up and potentially rectify structure issues through the development of natural bio-pores in the soil.


Extensive genetic diversity is available within a very accessible gene pool that includes diploid wild goat-grass (Aegilops tauschii) and tetraploid wheats such as wild and cultivated emmer wheat (Triticum dicoccoides and T. dicoccum) and durum wheat (T. turgidum durum). As part of WISP, the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council’s public-good wheat pre-breeding platform (www.wheatisp.org), NIAB’s pre-breeding team are capturing novel genetic diversity from the near relatives of wheat. Two approaches are being used:

resynthesis (for novel D-genome variation from the wild goat-grass, Aegilops tauschii); and

tetraploid-hexaploid crossing (for A- and B-genome variation from a range of wild and cultivated tetraploid wheats).

In each case, conventional crosses are made with UK varieties to capture the novel variation in suitably adapted backgrounds. WISP PRE-BREEDING: RESYNTHESIS Partner: NIAB Description: This plot highlights some of NIAB’s pre-breeding work based upon resynthesis. These include examples of newly resynthesised lines (SHW), together with the diploid (D-genome) and tetraploid (AB-genome) components, and pre-breeding material arising from crosses between each SHW and the commercially available UK winter wheat variety Robigus. WISP PRE-BREEDING: TETRAPLOID/ HEXAPLOID CROSSING Partner: NIAB Description: In parallel to the resynthesis work, tetraploids are being directly crossed with modern wheat to explore tetraploid sources of A- and B-genome diversity. The plot shows the range of diversity arising from one of these sources, T. dicoccum ‘Tios’, which shows high biomass and photosynthetic capacity. There are five mini-plots from a cross between Robigus and Tios, selected in the field in 2014. These are also currently being tested at Rothamsted Research and the University of Nottingham as part of the WISP project. MAGIC WHEAT POPULATIONS Partners: NIAB, University of Oxford, Bayer Crop Science, Elsoms Wheat Ltd, AHDB Cereals & Oilseeds, KWS UK Ltd, Limagrain UK Ltd, RAGT Seeds Ltd

Description: NIAB has been at the forefront of developing MAGIC (multi-parent advanced generation inter-cross) populations in wheat. With funding from BBSRC, two populations have been initiated:

MAGIC Elite – the intercrossing of eight UK winter wheat varieties,

MAGIC Diverse – the intercrossing of sixteen UK winter wheat varieties selected to maximise the genetic variation captured.

In 2011-12, thanks to The NIAB Trust, a 2.6 ha yield trial of the entire MAGIC Elite population was carried out (>1,000 lines across 2,156 plots) with most of the lines screened with genetic markers. Additional trials were conducted in 2012-2013 and 2013-2014. Already, associations between the marker data and performance of the lines have identified novel disease resistance genes and interactions between different disease resistances, flowering time, height and yield. Two additional projects will build on these resources: the MAGIC Elite population will be used to investigate genetics of yield and yield components (funded by BBSRC and AHDB Cereals & Oilseeds), and with in-kind contributions from five commercial plant breeding companies), while a BBSRC funded project between NIAB and the University of Oxford will develop tools and resources around the MAGIC Diverse population to develop it into a community resource. The miniplots at NIAB Innovation Farm show the parents of the MAGIC Elite and MAGIC Diverse populations. YELLOW RUST RESISTANCE IN THE MAGIC ELITE POPULATION Partners: NIAB, University of Cambridge, Limagrain UK Ltd Description: While the eight parents of the wheat MAGIC Elite population are all susceptible to yellow rust, a subset of the progeny is resistant, both at the seedling and adult plant stage. Preliminary analyses have identified regions of the wheat genome controlling this resistance. Two MAGIC Elite progeny lines thought to be more resistant (line A) or susceptible (line B) than the parental lines are in the NIAB Innovation Farm plots, grown in the presence or absence of fungicide treatment. Yellow rust resistance in the MAGIC Elite population is currently being investigated at NIAB by PhD student Laura Bouvet, thanks to a BBSRC Doctoral Training Partnership (DTP) studentship from the University of Cambridge.

WHEAT GENETIC DIVERSITY

http://www.wheatisp.org


Mycorrhizal fungi are well documented in their ability to unlock and transport phosphorus and water into plants, and also have increasingly being profiled for their significant impact on transporting nitrogen and zinc. Mycorrhizal fungi will function to establish a secondary root system able to efficiently liberate and transport soil nutrients to the host root system, whilst offering improved soil stability and increased resistance to stress conditions. SPRING NAKED BARLEY (Hordeum vulgare) Partner: Bangor University Variety: Deiniol Description: Deiniol is a two-row naked (hulless) spring barley breeding line, selected for UK cultivation for use in whole-grain health food products. It is early maturing, with yields around 4.8 t/ha with growth regulator and half recommended N levels. It requires minimal processing for food use and has low glycemic index. One spring barley plot has been inoculated with rootgrow™ mycorrhiza species, supplied by PlantWorks. FORAGE MAIZE (Zea mays) Wilhelm’s Best is a seed-coating formulation carrying obligate symbiotic arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR). This inoculum is used to improve nutrition, health, water uptake and growth of plants. It can also be applied as liquid, gel, or granulate formulation for other crops. The PGPR solubilise P, stimulate plant growth by plant hormone production, fix atmospheric N2 and suppress plant diseases. The AMF colonize plant roots and large soil volumes and provide nutrients, especially P, but also N and trace elements, and water to the plants. The synergistic effects in this combination leads to significant yield increases, which can reach more than 20%, dependent on soil and climatic conditions. Supplier: Williams and Roche Treatments: There are four treatments used on the three variety forage maize plots:

1. Untreated 2. Fungicide only 3. Wilhelm’s Best only 4. Fungicide + Wilhelm’s Best

Variety: Activate Breeder: Limagrain Description: An early-maturing forage maize Activate maximises energy density for every kilo of dry matter harvested, improving performance and reducing bought-in feed costs. It combines high starch content and superior cell wall digestibility to produce energy dense maize silage. It has rapid cob ripening ensuring a high starch content and yield. Variety: Ambition Breeder: Limagrain Description: Ambition’s combination of high yield and improved cell wall digestibility produces a high metabolisable energy (ME) yield. It is one of the highest yielding varieties available for both starch and dry matter, with an early vigour and eyespot disease tolerance. Variety: Beethoven Breeder: Limagrain Description: Beethoven has a good energy yield, maximising production from maize silage. It is an early maturing variety with reliable performance across all sites, and performs well under plastic cover. SOYA (Glycine max) Legumes such as soya are normally planted with rhizobium bacterial inoculum. However, they are also known to respond positively to inoculation with mycorrhizal fungi. One soya plot has been inoculated with rootgrow™ Rhizobium species. Suppliers: Legume Technology Ltd and PlantWorks Ltd Varieties: Pripiat, Naya, Siverka

MYCORRHIZAL FUNGI

FIELD EXHIBITS (cont) QUINOA (Chenopodium quinoa) Partner: Fairking Ltd Varieties: Sandoval and FK122/13 Description: Quinoa is considered to be one of the world’s healthiest food crops. It is gluten free and high in protein. High saponin types, of which Sandoval is an example, have been grown in the UK for over 30 years for inclusion in game cover crops. The high saponin level makes these types unsuitable for human consumption unless they are processed to remove the bitter taste. Very low saponin types, of which FK122 is an example, are suitable as a food

ingredient and are being developed for UK commercial production by Fairking and other companies in Europe. Partner: British Quinoa Variety: Atlas Description: Atlas is a saponin-free variety of quinoa, and has been specifically bred for production within the European climate. This variety is grown solely for the human consumption market due to a large seed size and white colour. It has good yield potential, is highly vigorous and has been selected for earliness to enable a standing harvest.


POTATOES (Solanum tuberosum) REMOTE SENSING Partners: KisanHub and NWave Description: This Innovate UK project, awarded to KisanHub and NWave, is focused on making digitised farm enterprises and food crops a commercial reality, through wireless remote collection of data from multiple in-field sensors in real time. The innovation centres on the connectivity surrounding automatic data capture via a low power wide area wireless network. These sensor datasets are integrated into a cloud-based decision support system so that farmers and agricultural consultants can make informed decisions about optimising input resources, maximising profitability and improving sustainability. The project team envisages many kinds of sensors deployed across a range of cropping situations, with data feeding into a grower’s dashboard for analysis in real time to assist farm management decisions. This novel application of ‘Internet of Things’ (IoT) technology could revolutionise farm management systems that generally rely on time-consuming, manual data entry. As in any business, but particularly in farming, time is a precious commodity; a product that saves a farmer time has value. To establish an exemplar application, this project will focus on collecting data from soil moisture probes placed in potato crops. MYCORRHIZAL FUNGI Supplier: Williams and Roche and PlantWorks Ltd Description: There are three treatments on the potatoes: 1. inoculated with Wilhelm’s Best formulation carrying

obligate symbiotic arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) (see the forage maize plots for further information).

2. innoculated with RootGrow containing AMF from Plantworks.

3. untreated control. PHACELIA (Phacelia tanacetifolia) Supplier: Emorsgate Seeds Description: Native to North America, Phacelia has a high nectar and pollen production and can be a useful addition to resources for pollinators with a role in the provision of ecosystem services. The flowering is indeterminate so the flowering period is long, extending over 30 days.

It is attractive to a number of species including bees and beneficial insects like hoverflies whose larvae consume aphids, and could be a useful addition to stewardship mixtures. Phacelia is an annual and sensitive to frost. It has been used in the USA as a cover crop and green manure, helping to reduce nitrate leaching. Though very tolerant of dry conditions it responds poorly in very cold, wet or waterlogged soils. SWITCHGRASS (Panicum virgatum) Partner: USDA Description: A perennial rhizomatous grass native to North America, switchgrass can produce high yields with very low fertiliser applications. It is tolerant of poor soils, flooding and drought. It may have an advantage in conditions of drought and high temperature due to its C4 physiology. It is used for biofuel, ethanol, and forage production in the USA and is being considered for similar uses in the UK. Two distinct forms have been developed: lowland cultivars tend to produce more biomass, while shorter upland cultivars are more cold-tolerant for use in northern areas. In the USA, it can grow up to 2.7 m high with leaves from 30-90 cm long and average yields of 15 t/ha dry weight. Plant breeders have also developed a number of improved varieties for use as forage. HOLLYHOCK (Alcea sp.) Description: Hollyhock blossoms produce rust and red natural dye colours, as well as mauves, magenta, pinks and tans depending on the colours of the blossoms and mordants used. ROSEMARY (Rosmarinus officinalis) Description: A perennial species established in the spring, rosemary has the potential for harvest after two years establishment. New growth may be harvested twice a year with crops maintained for five to seven years. A relatively low input crop there is little, or no, need for agrochemical inputs and field activity is limited after establishment. Current markets include ornamental and culinary (herb) use. However, rosemary leaves contain antioxidants that could be useful in a number of applications including food, cosmetics and a range of industrial oil/plastic based materials. These antioxidants include rosemarinic acid, carnosol and carnosic acid and can be highly effective in stabilising industrial products.

BOXES


The following crops are located outside of the main demonstration field, near to the Park Farm entrance gate. WILLOW Partner: Rothamsted Research Description: Currently, Rothamsted Research is running the only major willow breeding programme in the UK. Advances in understanding the physiology and growth of willow, and the on-going discovery of genes underlying key traits, is being used to improve the efficiency of willow breeding. Rothamsted is focused on developing drought tolerance as well as water and nitrogen-use efficient varieties for resource poor land. Variety development is also tailored to specific markets, such as second generation biofuels, chemical intermediates and polymers. Commercial short rotation coppice (SRC) willow plantations typically consist of a mixture of specially developed elite varieties, grown in dense plantations at rates of 15,000 plants per hectare. Planting mixtures of varieties exploits genetic diversity to limit pest and disease development in a crop that is virtually impossible to treat with pesticides due to its physical size. Typically 20 cm long stem cuttings are mechanically planted in a twin row design. This layout allows the woody biomass to be harvested by specially developed machines. After an initial establishment year, where cuttings are planted in the spring and cut back in the following winter, SRC willow plantations are harvested on a 2-4 year cycle. Plantations are viable for around 22 years (establishment year plus seven harvest cycles). SRC willow can grow well in environments where the alternative land uses are limited, such as the cooler and wetter areas of north-west Europe and North America and the high clay content soils of those and other areas of the temperate latitudes. In these environments where alternative land uses are limited the production of SRC willow is financially very competitive. Variety: JORR (Salix viminalis × S. viminalis) Breeder: Lantmännen SW Seed Description: Introduced in 1988 this variety is now outclassed and susceptible to Melampsora leaf rust. Variety: ROTH CHEVIOT (Complex S. viminalis × S. schwerinii hybrid) Breeder: Rothamsted Research Description: Bred in 2004 by Rothamsted Research’s willow breeding programme, the variety offers rust resistance and yields comparable to existing commercial varieties. Variety: RR09057 (Complex S. viminalis × S. schwerinii hybrid) Breeder: Rothamsted Research Description: Bred in 2009 this variety was generated using marker assisted selection. Markers linked to yield and rust

resistance traits were used to choose parents and in early progeny selection. This selection took place using leaf material collected from two month old seedlings and offers potential large time and space savings when compared to the conventional trialling/selection route. This approach is an example of the advances in understanding the physiology and growth of willow, and how the identification of genes underlying key traits can be used to improve the efficiency of the breeding programme. MISCANTHUS Partner: IBERS Description: Miscanthus (Miscanthus giganteus), or elephant grass, has been grown in the UK for a number of years as an energy crop. A perennial C4 grass commercially grown, Miscanthus consists almost exclusively of the sterile triploid hybrid M. x giganteus, a naturally occurring sterile hybrid of diploid M. sinensis and tetraploid M. sacchariflorus. Since it is sterile, the crop is propagated by rhizome splitting. This leads to narrow genetic diversity within the germplasm and thus a disease risk when grown on a large scale; it also fails to provide a base for the development of new varieties. Fortunately there is extensive genetic diversity available within the Miscanthus genus allowing for the development of new hybrids tailored to different environments and end uses, such as liquid biofuels for transport or replacements for platform chemicals, and combustion for heat and power. Alternative Miscanthus species include:

M. sacchariflorus: extremely thick and tall stems with good biomass accumulation. Has a more spreading and prolific rhizome growth once established but generally will not flower in the UK climate;

M. sinensis: forms dense clumps with thinner, more prolific stems. Flowers readily in temperate climates although flowering times in the UK can extend from June to October;

M. sacchariflorus breeder’s line (tetraploid): used in experimental crosses at IBERS with triploid progeny currently in field trials. This accession demonstrates good frost tolerant traits, although it does not flower under UK conditions but can be induced under controlled environments;

M. sinensis ‘Goliath’ horticultural line (triploid): an intraspecific hybrid of M. sinensis that flowers around August in the UK and has been marketed as a ‘large-type’ horticultural variety since the 1970s;

M. sinensis breeders line (diploid): the female parent of a mapping family at IBERS that has been used to generate the first high resolution genetic map in Miscanthus and is now being used to identify regions of the genome responsible for traits such as spring emergence, flowering, senescence, yield, and composition. It flowers in July in the UK.

WILLOW AND MISCANTHUS


TEMPERATE CROPS VERTICAL GROWING SYSTEMS Suppliers: Sustainable Opportunities Ltd and Delta-T Devices Ltd Description: The Guttergrow Project is developing a household scale growing system for building vertical allotments, designed to fit typical urban spaces and use appropriate technologies to make systems self-maintaining. The system is targeting urban dwellers wanting to grow their own flowers and vegetables. Delta-T Devices Ltd is providing sensors and data logger to monitor soil water and control irrigation according to crop water demand, improving water use efficiency of the system. SAINFOIN (Onobrychis viciifolia) Varieties: Cholderton Common and Visnovsky Suppliers: Cholderton Estate and Otto Hauenstein Samen Description: Sainfoin is a high protein, low-input forage crop that grows well on dry, poor quality, alkaline land. It is not as productive as other forage legumes and is more difficult to establish, but has valuable characteristics such as palatability and drought tolerance. With anthelmintic and non-bloat digestive properties, due to its unique tannin and polyphenol composition, sainfoin can be fed fresh as hay or silage. As a perennial long-term ley it is seen as a high quality alternative to grass and clover mixes with the potential to reduce livestock greenhouse-gas emissions and improve wildlife biodiversity. NIAB is undertaking research into improving variety selection, developing husbandry guides, and investigating the crops response to agronomic pressures. STRAWBERRY (Fragaria x ananassa) Variety: Malling™ Centenary Funders: East Malling Strawberry Breeding Club (EMSBC), Horticultural Development Company (HDC), private companies Supplier: East Malling Research Description: The national programme for strawberry breeding has been based at East Malling since 1983 and has been successful in releasing 39 varieties. This new June fruiting variety has achieved excellent scores for appearance, flavour, firmness and shelf life in strawberry variety trials. WINTER BEAN (Vicia faba) Varieties: Wizard and Clipper Supplier: Wherry and Sons Description: This project is exploring the use of winter beans as a companion crop for sainfoin. Results so far suggest that the beans were effective in producing an

umbrella effect, protecting the seedlings from frost. The beans were also able to raise the fleece cover higher than the sainfoin, preventing damage to young plants. Winter bean plants required thinning and cutting in the spring to prevent crowding of the sainfoin. CHICORY (Cichorium intybus) Variety: Puna II Supplier: Cotswold’s Seeds Description: Chicory is being investigated as a potential companion crop for sainfoin. Like sainfoin, it has anti-helmintic properties but, unlike sainfoin, these are not based in condensed tannins. Chicory could complement the bio-pharmaceutical properties of sainfoin and together produce improved forage for animal feed. This mixture is also beneficial for recovering damaged fields, as chicory has a deep tap root that is able to break up eroded or compacted soils, while sainfoin, as a legume, can synthesise nitrogen to improve the levels in the soil. WESTERWOLD RYEGRASS (Lolium multiflorum var. westerwoldicum) Variety: Andrea Supplier: Agroscope Description: The short-lived Westerwold ryegrass exhibits a rapid juvenile development and is a very strong competitor. It delivers high yields in the first and second cut, decreasing substantially in the following ones. PERENNIAL RYEGRASS (Lolium perenne) Variety: Lacerta Supplier: Agroscope Description: Perennial ryegrass is used both in meadows and pastures, with a rapid juvenile development. This highly digestible grass was chosen for research because it is a strong competitor during the establishment year, becoming weaker afterwards. MEADOW FESCUE (Festuca pratensis) Variety: Pradel Supplier: Agroscope Description: This winter hardy grass delivers high-quality forage. It was chosen for research because it is a weak competitor throughout its entire life. TIMOTHY (Phleum pratense) Variety: Rasant Supplier: Agroscope Description: Timothy grass delivers high-quality forage, provided an intensive usage. Its spring yields are high, followed by low summer yields. In research it acts as a weak competitor at the start but becomes gradually stronger afterwards.

IN THE GLASSHOUSE


COCKSFOOT (Dactylis glomerata) Variety: Accord Supplier: Agroscope Description: Cocksfoot is a versatile, winter hardy and drought resistant grass. Its high yields are evenly distributed throughout the growing season. It was used for research as it starts as a weak competitor, gets stronger with time and finally outperforms many other species. BIRDSFOOT TREFOIL (Lotus corniculatus) Variety: Polom Supplier: Agroscope Description: Birdsfoot Trefoil is a very slow developing but drought tolerant legume which grows on almost all soils. However, its yields are low and it is a weak competitor. Its prostrate growth complements dual cropping with sainfoin. Varieties: ABY-AI 561-2006, ABY-AI 528-2000, ABY-AI 538-2005 Supplier: IBERS Description: Lines being developed at IBERS have been collected from a range of sites to obtain a range of genetic diversity. The small selection here are: ABY-AI 528 collected on Skomer Island in 1999 from long abandoned grassland, which is heavily rabbit grazed; ABY-AI 538 collected from an abandoned football pitch in Cordillera Cantabrica, Spain in 2003; and ABY-AI 561 CV Lotar is an improved variety produced by IGER. PEAS (Pisum sativum) Variety: Zero4 Breeder: Limagrain Description: Has strong agronomic characteristics including short straw, excellent standing ability and good downy mildew resistance, but is especially attractive for its very early maturity. It will be ready for harvest 10–14 days before most other combining pea varieties. Zero4 is a true small blue variety and therefore potentially suitable for a number of markets: smaller sized samples are likely to be accepted for the pigeon trade; medium samples for on-farm feeding or export and the larger samples going for micronising. Variety: Prophet Breeder: Limagrain Description: Large blue pea which has proved to be reliable on farm. It is a true large blue pea with a high thousand seed weight, producing a bold sample (suitable for domestic and export markets) with good colour retention (attractive for micronising). Prophet has a sound combination of agronomic characters, being moderately tall with very good standing power and reasonably early to ripen. It has excellent resistance to downy mildew and is unlikely to need a specific seed dressing for this disease. Prophet is also resistant to pea wilt. Variety: Neon Breeder: Limagrain Description: A marrowfat pea with a very high yield potential, good colour and a good combination of

agronomic characters for its type. Like Kahuna, Neon is a small-seeded marrowfat with the classic shape preferred by end-users. Neon has good canning properties and has the potential to attract a premium in the human consumption market. ROSEBAY WILLOWHERB Partner: University of Turku Description: Historically used in Finland as a feed additive to increase milk yields of ruminants, Rosebay willowherb is under current study as a forage crop or feed additive for ruminants. Young shoots are widely used as herbal material. All plant parts contain unique ellagitannins (tannins) that may decrease environmental emissions by ruminants. It grows easily on open areas, often widely present at road sides and areas revealed after logging. MAIZE (Zea mays) Supplier: Limagrain Variety: Ambition Description: Maize plants are demonstrated under temperate and tropical conditions. Maize plant use C4 photosynthesis, enabling them to use the carbon fixing enzyme RuBisCO more efficiently under high heat conditions. C4 metabolism is beneficial in environments with high temperate and drought stress, although is not as efficient as C3 metabolism under temperate conditions. Many C4 plants switch to C3 under temperate conditions. For variety detail, see field exhibit section.

TROPICAL CROPS COTTON Varieties: Gossypium arboream, G. barbadense, TM-1 Partner: Durham University Description: Cotton is a valuable crop in the production of fibre and seed oil. It was first cultivated 8,000 years ago. China produces the most cotton in the world; Durham University has a research collaboration with China’s Huazhong Agricultural University in Wuhan aimed at understanding the genetic control of fibre production and seed development, with a view to improving fibre quality, seed propagation and oil yield. GROUNDNUT (Arachis hypogaea) Lines: ICG 6033, 7794, 7898, 10884 Supplier: ICRISAT Description: Grown on 24 million ha worldwide, this species has benefited from ICRISAT developed breeding materials with the release of 138 improved cultivars. Drought tolerance as well as improved resistance to bacterial wilt is providing positive benefits to growers. HENNA (Lawsonia inermis) Supplier: Kings Seeds Description: As a dye crop Henna contains lawsone, a red-dish-orange dye that has been used since antiquity to dye skin, hair, and fingernails, as well as fabrics including silk, wool, and leather and is also used in temporary tattooing.


PEARL MILLET (Pennisetum glaucum) Supplier: ICRISAT Description: Pearl millet is grown on 25 million hectares in arid and semi-arid regions. Breeding has focused on open pollinated varieties, but a new initiative is underway to develop hybrid lines for the region that are likely to offer a 25-30% yield advantage. SORGHUM (Sorghum bicolor) Lines: IS18758, 23579, 23891, 25040, 38393 Supplier: ICRISAT Description: Sorghum is one of the few resilient crops that can adapt well to future climate change conditions, particularly increasing drought, soil salinity and high temperatures. It is grown on 48 million hectares in the arid and semi-arid regions of India, Africa, Australia and America primarily as a food source. It is the dietary staple for more than 50 million people. TROPICAL VINE (Cryptolepis sanguinolenta) Partner: University of Ghana Description: This vine produces compounds in its roots that have anti-malarial properties. However, the vine is difficult to propagate through seed. This exhibit is part of a three month project for a visiting Fellow from the University of Ghana, carrying out tissue culture tests to investigate alternative propagation methods. COCOYAMS Description: From the family Araceae, Cocoyams are grown in tropical and sub-tropical regions, particularly in West Africa. Cocoyams store well; the corms are high in starch (typically 25% wet weight), and although extremely acrid when raw, are used commonly as soup thickeners. Increased exploitation of cocoyams as a food resource will be partly dependent on successful selection of high yielding lines and germplasm exchange between producing countries to increase the genetic base. SESAME (Sesamum indicum) Description: Sesame is an annual plant, grown for its edible, high oil seed, widely used in cuisine. Sesame oil is high in anti-oxidants, including sesamin, sesamol and sesamolin, and is used as an active ingredient in antiseptics, bactericides and moth repellents. Future crop improvements may be through selection for varieties with high adaptive potential for diverse climates, and using landraces and wild relatives as sources of genetic diversity. ALOE VERA (Aloe vera) Description: Aloe vera plants use Crassulcaean Acid Metabolism (CAM), which is an adaptation to high temperature and low water levels. The CAM pathway allows the plant to close its stomata during the day (when at the highest risk from excessive water loss). CO2 is taken up by leaves during the night, stored as Crassulacean Acid, and then fed into the photosynthesis reaction in the day when it is light.

GENETICALLY MODIFIED CROPS TOMATOES (Solanum lycopersicum) Partner: Cranfield University Description: To enable food production to meet the needs of a growing population it will be necessary for water usage to be managed in a more sustainable way. One solution is to breed crops with greater water use efficiency; this will allow the production of more ‘crop per drop’. This exhibit compares conventional tomato plants (variety Ailsa Craig) with genetically modified versions that require less water. The modification works by using a plant hormone that slightly closes the stomata (pores on the leaf) so that they can still take up enough CO2, but lose less water through the pores. The exhibit shows an irrigation system where the plants trigger more water supplies when they are running out – this allows a comparison of how much water is used by the genetically modified compared to the non-modified plants. Partner: John Innes Centre Description: Anthocyanins are natural pigments responsible for the blue, red and purple colour of many flowers and fruit. As part of the human diet they may have preventive and therapeutic roles in a number of human diseases. The John Innes Centre has isolated two genes required for flower pigmentation in the garden ornamental species Antirrhinum (snapdragon) and expressed them in tomato. The result was a purple tomato fruit with very high levels of anthocyanins. Scientists are now testing the purple tomatoes using the natural red tomato (that does not contain anthocyanins) as a control to investigate the health-promoting benefits of anthocyanins. Variety: Moneymaker Description: This is a standard, red tomato provided as a control. A very popular commercial variety for many decades, Moneymaker is cheap, easy to grow and productive but rather tasteless. It has now been replaced as the generic ‘supermarket’ tomato by other varieties with longer shelf-life, but is still available and widely used in plant science. Line: Micro-Tom Indigo x Ailsa Craig Description: A cross between a Micro-Tom Indigo plant and the common commercial variety Ailsa Craig. Line: Transformed Moneymaker Description: Moneymaker transformed with a regulatory gene that controls the biosynthesis of flavonols, natural plant compounds very similar to anthocyanins in structure but less colourful. They are yellow in colour and the tomato fruit appears orange because the very high levels of flavonols mask the natural red tomato colour. The MYB12 gene was isolated from the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana and modified by adding the tomato E8 promoter, a molecular switch that activates the transgene only in fruit during ripening.


Line: Micro-Tom Indigo x Maglia Rosa Description: The GM purple tomato was crossed with the conventional variety Maglia Rosa. The introduction of the purple trait in these varieties may result in purple tomato fruit with unusual shape, stripy or patchy purple appearance and ornamental value. TOBACCO (Nicotiana tabacum) Varieties: Virginia (K326) and Burley (TN90) Supplier: British American Tobacco Description: Tobacco is in the same botanical family as tomatoes, potatoes and peppers. Virginia is a low nicotine, high sugar line; Burley is a high nicotine, low sugar line. These varieties have been transformed with a gene from Arabidopsis to reduce a specific carcinogen (nitroso-nornicotine - NNN) which is formed when the crop is harvested and cured. By introducing a gene which is part of the nitrogen pathway and over-expressing it, the availability of residual nitrogen species in the leaf is decreased and limits the formation of NNN upon curing. This is part of a wide research programme looking at toxicant reduction in tobacco leaf. WHEAT Partner: John Innes Centre (JIC) Description: This transgenic wheat contains a pathogen-sensing receptor gene from the model plant Arabidopsis. The Arabidopsis Ef-Tu receptor (EFR) detects the essential EF-Tu protein, widespread in many bacterial genera, and activates defence responses. This mechanism, known as PAMP-triggered Immunity, is desirable because it has the potential to control many different pathogens, not just one. Work at JIC shows that the EFR gene works in wheat and has the potential for engineering broad-spectrum disease resistance. Future research aims are to understand more about PAMP-triggered immunity so that broad-spectrum resistance to the most important wheat diseases can be developed.

Partner: University of Sheffield Description: NIAB in collaboration with the University of Sheffield is attempting to reduce crop water loss by producing transgenic wheat with fewer stomata. Stomata are microscopic pores on the leaves of plants through which gas exchange occurs between the plant internal environment and the surrounding air. CO2 is taken in for photosynthesis through stomata, whilst water is lost. It has already been demonstrated that reducing stomata number is an effective approach to improving water-use efficiency using the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana. Studies are ongoing as to whether this will hold true in in a cereal crop by determining if it is possible to reduce water loss, whilst maintaining seed yield and quality. Partner: NIAB Recipient variety: Fielder Description: NIAB is investigating two different approaches for enhancing resistance to ergot in wheat. One approach is based on the observation that wheat plants with a naturally occurring mutation causing them to become insensitive to the plant growth regulator gibberellic acid (GA) appear to restrict the growth of infecting ergots. The second takes advantage of the fact that in order to infect wheat, ergots produce pathogenicity factors which helps them to successfully invade and establish growth within plant tissues. In the first approach, plants have been genetically modified to alter the levels of GA in flowering tissue (the point of infection) and tested for susceptibility to ergots. In the second, plants have been modified to breakdown the ergot pathogenicity factor and then tested for susceptibility to infection. For further information about these projects and precise details of the constructs used for plant transformation, please contact Dr Anna Gordon at NIAB. The work is funded by the BBSRC and a Defra Government Partnership Award (BB/GO20418/1) entitled ‘Integrated transcriptome and genetic analysis of early events determining tissue susceptibility in the Claviceps purpurea - wheat interaction’.

SOPHI TAYLOR BUILDING GARDEN ROOTGROW™ MYCORRHIZAL FUNGI Supplier: PlantWorks Description: Leeks, carrots and lettuce have been inoculated with rootgrow™ mycorrhizal fungi to assist in the production of an extensive and robust root system and stimulate a network of beneficial fungi and bacteria to form a healthy functional soil. Mycorrhizal fungi will function to establish a secondary root system, transporting soil nutrients to the host root system and offering improved soil stability and increased resistance to stress conditions.

STRAWBERRY(Fragaria x ananassa) Varieties: Finesse, Vibrant, Fenella, EMR Centenary Partner: East Malling Research (EMR) and RW Walpole Description: Also demonstrated in the glasshouses, EMR Centenary is a new June fruiting variety with firm, attractive, regular shaped berries, and excellent flavour. The national programme for strawberry breeding has been based at East Malling since 1983 and has been successful in releasing 39 varieties. ERICACEOUS BED This slightly acidic bed contains Bog Myrtle, blueberries, Camellia and Hydrangea plants.


Organisation Website Agroscope www.agroscope.admin.ch AHDB Cereals & Oilseeds cereals.ahdb.org.uk Bangor University www.bangor.ac.uk British American Tobacco www.bat.com British Quinoa Company www.britishquinoa.co.uk Campaign for the Farmed Environment www.cfeonline.org.uk/home Cholderton Estate www.cholderton-estate.co.uk Cotswold Seed www.cotswoldseeds.com Cranfield University www.cranfield.ac.uk Delta-T www.delta-t.co.uk Durham University www.dur.ac.uk Emorsgate Seeds wildseed.co.uk East Malling Research (EMR) www.emr.ac.uk Fairking Ltd www.fairking.co.uk Future Biogas Ltd www.futurebiogas.com Germinal Holdings www.germinalseeds.co.uk Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT) www.gwct.org.uk IBERS www.aber.ac.uk/en/ibers ICRISAT www.icrisat.org J. Bingham John Innes Centre www.jic.ac.uk Kings Game Cover and Conservation Crops www.kingscrops.co.uk Kings Seeds www.kingsseeds.com KisanHub www.kisanhub.com Legume Plus http://legumeplus.eu Legume Technology Ltd www.legumetechnology.co.uk Limagrain www.limagrain.co.uk Moles Seeds www.molesseeds.co.uk NIAB www.niab.com Nwave http://nwavetec.com Oakbank Game and Conservation Ltd www.oakbankgc.co.uk Organic Seed Producers http://organicseedproducerscompany.co.uk Otto Haustein Samen www.hauenstein.ch/de Plant works and rootgrowTM http://rootgrow.co.uk RSPB (Operation Turtle Dove) www.rspb.org.uk Senova www.senova.uk.com SRUC www.sruc.ac.uk Sustainable Opportunities (GutterGrow) www.sustainable-opportunities.co.uk University of Cambridge www.cam.ac.uk University of Ghana www.ug.edu.gh University of Sheffield www.sheffield.ac.uk University of Turku http://naturalchemistry.utu.fi USDA www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usdahome Wherry and Sons www.wherryandsons.com Williams and Roche www.wilhelmsbest.de

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