Press release

The trials vineyard, at NIAB’s East Malling site in Kent, consists of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay in 24 rows (60 vines per row), and is available for bespoke trials, technical innovation, independent evaluation and commercial demonstrations. The client base includes companies seeking to develop new products and services for the horticultural industry, including agrochemical manufacturers evaluating new crop protection chemistry for subsequent sale into the viticulture sector.

New research and advice on nutrient delivery, microclimate management, yield prediction systems and pest management all feature in NIAB’s annual Soft Fruit Technical Webinar on 30th November, with places available to book now.

Free and open to all from across the soft fruit industry, the event will be once again held online due to the high levels of interest from UK and international audiences.

Nick Watson, Director of Commercial Services said: “Helen takes over from Linda Maile, who has retired from the role this summer after eight years leading the team and having worked at NIAB in the OSTS for a record-breaking 53 years. We thank Linda for an incredible career at NIAB and wish her the very best for the future.”

A workshop, held at NIAB East Malling in Kent on 26th October 2022, will help fruit growers improve their selection of appropriate wildflower seed mixes as well as wildflower strip establishment and management. Open to all, attendees will also learn about the benefits of wildflowers in fruit production in terms of both pollination and insect pest control.

The everbearer strawberry variety Malling™ Ace delivered excellent yields and consistent fruit size this season, showing a much-needed resilience to the stress of extreme summer temperatures, says Malling™ Fruits.

Nine new varieties have been added to the British Society of Plant Breeder’s 2023 Forage Maize Descriptive Lists (DL), published today.

This will make it easier for crop breeders and researchers to select plants, or discover genes, based on marker patterns (genotypes) and desired traits (phenotypes).

Drones have great potential in plant breeding and crop research, collecting large-scale 2D/3D visual information from plants in field trials relatively easily and cost-effectively. Until now, it was difficult to use the data collected for reliable trait analysis and genetic mapping.

Starting in August Peter will join an established team of research scientists, crop specialists and field/laboratory technicians at NIAB, widely known for providing potato R&D, services and advice across the UK and beyond. He will be leading the development of NIAB’s potato agronomy research and industry partnerships, technical services and consultancy activities, with a focus on the practical application of research outputs from across the organisation.

A new early-season plum variety Malling™ Elizabeth, with exceptional eating quality, has been released today (13th July 2022) at the Fruit Focus event in Kent.

The Victoria-like fruit, which are firm yet both sweet and juicy, has been launched by Malling™ Fruits, the marketing brand for NIAB’s fruit varieties from its site at East Malling, together with leading UK top fruit propagator FP Matthews.

Commercial strawberry yields have been doubled using Total Controlled Environmental Agriculture conditions, indicating a huge potential for utilising high quality plant material of leading everbearer varieties in new vertical farming practices, says crop research organisation NIAB.