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An international research team, including crop scientists from NIAB, genetically characterised nearly 80,000 samples of wheat from the germplasm banks of the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) and the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA).

UPDATED: NOW ONLINE

This was initially advertised as a seminar in London, due to COVID-19,  it's now been moved to an online seminar, amended details are below.

Co-ordinated by NIAB and supported by off-patent crop protection manufacturer Life Scientific, it is hoped that the information provided from samples submitted will provide an updated picture of wild oat herbicide resistance, and also a general picture of where we are with wild-oats currently across the UK, says NIAB’s weed biology specialist, John Cussans.

There are two species of wild oats that are weeds in the UK – the common wild oat and the winter wild oat.

Researchers have developed a new tool to carry out one of agriculture’s more challenging tasks - seed germination testing.

Growers need seeds that germinate effectively and uniformly within a given period to maximise crop productivity. Seed suppliers must therefore test seed samples to ensure a certain germination rate is met, a process that is difficult and time consuming.

The Growing Kent & Medway initiative is one of seven national projects that will drive innovation-led growth and support areas of R&D strength thanks to government funding provided through UK Research and Innovation’s flagship Strength in Places Fund. It will build upon more than a century of strategic and applied horticultural research undertaken at NIAB EMR in East Malling, Kent.

He will be expanding NIAB’s research on new crop protection tools, fungicide resistance monitoring and developing optimal disease control programmes for fungal pathogens on cereals and other crops.

APHA has circulated a statement (NL/PBR 3/2020 - 14th May 2020) detailing the impact of COVID-19 on the tests and trials for National Listing and Plant Breeders’ Rights. 

For information, the teams at NIAB have adapted working practices to adhere to Government guidelines on controlling the spread of the virus whilst maintaining delivery of the statutory testing work that is carried out on behalf of APHA.  No delay due to the current COVID-19 situation is anticipated for delivering our recommendations for NL or PBR.   

NIAB TAG is currently considering developing a forage membership package. If you are a livestock or mixed farmer, growing forage crops, or a consultant or agronomist involved in forage crop production, and would be interested in a forage membership package we would appreciate your feedback by filling in our attached questionnaire.

NIAB is committed to supporting UK farmers and agricultural businesses in 2020 through the covid-19 crisis. We are operating differently due to the impact of the virus, ensuring the welfare of NIAB employees whilst keeping to government guidelines, and adapting and finding alternative ways of working with our customers where we can.

Following government guidelines relating to the Covid-19 outbreak, APHA circulated a statement (Seed Cert 6/20) on Saturday 4th April 2020 which included the cancellation of crop inspector courses run by NIAB in May and June 2020.

APHA has indicated that retests will be deferred and will contact candidates individually soon.

If your licence is due to expire and you have not registered for a course please contact us as soon as possible: