News article

Translating basic plant science into products of value to farmers and consumers was the central theme of a recent parliamentary fact-finding visit to the National Institute of Agricultural Botany, in Cambridge.

Members of the new All-Party Parliamentary Group on Science and Technology in Agriculture, led by the Group’s chairman David Kidney MP, toured field trials and new laboratory facilities, and heard how NIAB is leading research to help boost crop yields and cope with the effects of climate change.

The National Farmers’ Union President, Peter Kendall, described the “exciting and important future role of plant science” during a visit to Cambridge when he met secondary school pupils taking part in an interactive training event on plant genetics.

He met Year 9 pupils from Parkside Community College at the “Genetics Garden” at the Cambridge University Botanic Garden. He was joined by Prof Wayne Powell, NIAB’s Chief Executive, and Prof John Parker, Director of the Cambridge University Botanic Garden.

The humble rosemary plant could revolutionise the way that some oil-based products are made, providing a “green” alternative to the synthetics and fossil fuels which are presently used.

Research scientists at the National Institute of Agricultural Botany in Cambridge have joined a group of leading industry and research partners to determine the feasibility of using environmentally friendly antioxidants (AO) extracted from rosemary plants for the production of cosmetics, plastics and lubricants.

A team of top scientists from the Cambridge-based National Institute of Agricultural Botany has set up an experimental farm in a village in Moldova, Europe’s poorest country.

The local mayor and landowner, as well as villagers from the community of Burlacu, (which has a population of 1,200), joined in the project. During the week long visit, two polytunnels were erected – and another nine were given to growers for food production and extending seasonal growth.

Pioneering plant breeder John Bingham CBE, FRS yesterday (23 June) officially opened a new laboratory named after him at the National Institute of Agricultural Botany in Huntingdon Road, Cambridge.

Mr Bingham’s innovative approach to plant breeding contributed considerably to establishing winter wheat as the mainstay of UK crop production. Mr Bingham, who was based at the Plant Breeding Institute, Cambridge for 40 years, lives in Norfolk where he farms.

A leading Australian scientist, Prof Geoff Fincher, described his pioneering research on functional genomics during a visit to the National Institute of Agricultural Botany, Cambridge.

His study on plant cell walls could have considerable benefits for human health by reducing high cholesterol and some types of colon rectal cancers, as well as lowering the risk of type 2 diabetes. It could also lead to considerable savings on water in industrial uses.

Nickerson, a leading plant breeding and seed development company, was presented with the coveted NIAB Variety Cup 2008 for its winter barley Pearl at Cereals 2008.

The annual award is made by the National Institute of Agricultural Botany to the breeder of a variety that has demonstrated merit by making a major contribution to sustained crop productivity through improved quality, disease resistance and grower return.

Connecting Plant Science is the key theme of NIAB’s attendance at Cereals 2008 this week where skilled staff will demonstrate their innovative research and crop work.

The Cambridge-based Institute will again share a plot with the John Innes Centre from Norwich as collaborative projects form an integral part of their successful approach.

NIAB was pleased to welcome the Mayor of Cambridge, Coun Jenny Bailey, on a fact finding visit at its leading plant science research organisation in the city.

She met some of their key scientists who are researching cutting edge plant breeding projects, many of which it is hoped will lead to new crops being produced to feed the world’s expanding population, particularly in developing countries and areas of drought stress.

An Open Day held for some of the UK’s leading plant breeders at NIAB highlighted the latest issues and innovations that their scientific experts have been working on over the past year with the National List testing process of Winter Oilseed Rape.

Discussion centred on the contemporary approaches to service delivery and how to improve the value for money that these services offer. The event provided a unique opportunity for NIAB to listen to and respond to the needs of the plant breeders.