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crops
World Pulses Day: Home-growing plant protein is good sense (News)
By Pete Iannetta and Alison Karley, Ecological Sciences, James Hutton Institute The COVID-19 pandemic has stretched the UK’s systems of food supply, raising further questions about the adaptability of global food systems i ... Read more
February 10, 2021
SSCR Combinable and Energy Crops Winter Meeting 25 February 2021 (Event)
The Scottish Society for Crop Research (SSCR), Combinable and Energy Crops sub-committee would like to invite you to join their Winter meeting "Making the Most of Your Soils". This is a biennial meeting held by the ... Read more
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SSCR Potato Winter Meeting 4 March 2021 (Event)
The Scottish Society for Crop Research (SSCR) is holding their 2021 Potato Winter Meeting as an online event. The meeting is open to anyone in the potato industry and other interested parties, but registration is essential. Two ... Read more
BreedingValue: Developing new breeding strategies for resilient and highly nutritious berries (News)
Increased demand in berries across Europe meets the challenges brought on by climate change, environmental preservation and the need for new cultivation systems as well as high-quality produce. The new research project BreedingVal ... Read more
January 21, 2021
2021, International Year of Fruits and Vegetables (News)
2021 is the United Nations' International Year of Fruits and Vegetables, bringing public attention to the key role of fruit and vegetables in human nutrition, food security and health – all key strands of work at the Jam ... Read more
January 1, 2021
Online conference to highlight benefits of intercropping for sustainability (News)
The potential of innovative mixed-species crop systems to increase the sustainability of food production will be under the spotlight at an online conference focussing on the latest findings on intercropping research from lab to fi ... Read more
December 23, 2020
3D buffer strips: towards practical actions under a new Agriculture Bill (News)
River corridors exemplify places in busy farmed landscapes where researchers and land managers can use environmental measures for multiple benefits. These areas often fringe the main working points of the farm but are important in ... Read more
December 22, 2020
Hutton research contributes to project focused on reducing food loss and waste across Europe (News)
A €5.5m research project involving 27 members from 12 European countries including James Hutton Institute scientists has been formed with the aim of reducing food losses and waste across Europe. The Lowinfood project, funded ... Read more
December 4, 2020
Barley pan-genome: scientists unravel diversity of domesticated barley (News)
An international research team including scientists from the James Hutton Institute and the University of Dundee has reached a milestone on the way to unravelling the species-wide genetic diversity of domesticated barley. With the ... Read more
November 25, 2020
Winter flooding can help build resilience of groundwater aquifers for crop production (News)
A new hydrological study co-authored by James Hutton Institute PhD student Camilla Negri and colleagues based in Italy has shown that winter flooding, the application of water onto agricultural lands to recharge groundwater aquife ... Read more
November 10, 2020
Preserving UK soil microbial biodiversity for sustainable agriculture (News)
Scientists from the UK’s foremost agricultural research organisations, including the James Hutton Institute, have teamed up to create a new UK Crop Microbiome Cryobank (UK-CMCB) to safeguard future research and facilitate th ... Read more
October 12, 2020
New RISS group members wanted: processing pulses for human consumption in Scotland (News)
Are you involved in growing, processing or selling pulse-based products? A newly launched Rural Innovation Support Service (RISS) group is set to explore the potential of pulse supply chains in Scotland and associated challenges a ... Read more
August 31, 2020
New European research into future-proof, resilient potatoes (News)
A group of leading European academic research institutions including the James Hutton Institute have joined forces to launch the ADAPT (Accelerated Development of multiple-stress tolerAnt PoTato) project, which seeks to develop st ... Read more
August 28, 2020
Research to unravel blackleg and nematode interactions in potato crops (News)
Scientists at the James Hutton Institute and partner organisations are working to understand the interactions between pathogen Pectobacterium atrosepticum and an array of soil-microbe-crop interactions in the development ... Read more
August 18, 2020
New version of Germinate launched (News)
The James Hutton Institute's bioinformatics group within the Department of Information and Computational Sciences has unveiled a new version of Germinate, the Institute's open-source, fully featured plant database infrastr ... Read more
August 11, 2020
Fruit for the Future 2020: programme announced (News)
The programme for Fruit for the Future 2020, the James Hutton Institute’s long-running soft fruit themed industry event, has been announced. Usually a well-attended physical gathering, this year FFF is going virtual with a w ... Read more
August 10, 2020
Groundbreaking research to develop soil carbon sequestration monitoring system (News)
Capturing carbon in soil is a frequent feature of climate change mitigation measures, but the variability in soils and greenhouse gas emissions makes it difficult to evaluate results. A new £1 million research project led by ... Read more
July 28, 2020
Fruit for the Future 2020: all-new and virtual format (News)
In recognition of the ongoing COVID-19 situation, Fruit for the Future – the James Hutton Institute’s long-running soft fruit themed event – is going virtual for 2020, with updates about new research and varietie ... Read more
July 8, 2020
Is COVID-19 changing our relationship with food? (News)
How have our eating, cooking and food purchasing habits changed due to the coronavirus pandemic and the resultant lockdown measures in the UK, Europe and much of the world? Researchers at the James Hutton Institute are part of an ... Read more
May 26, 2020
MycoNourish raises funding to improve crop production with innovative customised microbes (News)
MycoNourish, an ambitious new biotechnology company and spin-out of the James Hutton Institute, announced today the completion of a £150K funding round led by Techstart Ventures. The funding, combined with a recent £12 ... Read more
April 15, 2020
Climate justice the focus of Hutton’s first online screening (News)
The award-winning film Thank You For The Rain was the focus of the James Hutton Institute’s first ever collective 'online' film screening on the 6th of April, highlighting a range of issues including climate justice, ... Read more
April 9, 2020
Soil health: our most prized asset (News)
“Soil is life. We breathe the air, we drink the water and we eat the crops, we live on the soil. Soil stores twice as much carbon globally as the vegetation above ground and is a universe of microbial life working with plant ... Read more
March 20, 2020
Exploring the potential of biochar to help farmers and the environment in India (News)
An international research team featuring scientists from the James Hutton Institute is exploring the potential of biochar - a carbon-rich type of charcoal - to address air pollution, climate change, food security and farmers&rsquo ... Read more
March 16, 2020
Exploring legume nodulation in the deepest reaches of the Amazon (News)
An international effort to develop maize crops that don’t need fertiliser has taken Hutton scientist Euan James to the deepest reaches of the Amazon River, on a quest for samples of root nodules from legume trees to help und ... Read more
February 26, 2020
Hutton scientist awarded grant to explore genetic pathway to better barley (News)
Dr Isabelle Colas, a scientist of the International Barley Hub, has been awarded a New Investigator grant worth £400k by UK Research and Innovation to explore a genetic pathway to improved barley crops, with the ultimate aim ... Read more
February 24, 2020
Agricarbon: helping farmers tap into the carbon credits market (News)
An initiative supported by the James Hutton Institute has set its sights on developing methods for measuring soil carbon with a cost-effective commercial tool to help UK farmers tap into the carbon credits market. Agricarbon, le ... Read more
February 21, 2020
SSCR Potato Winter Meeting 11 March 2020 (Event)
The Scottish Society for Crop Research (SSCR) is holding their Potato Winter Meeting at the James Hutton Institute, Invergowrie. The event is open to anyone in the potato industry and other interested parties. CPD Points BASIS ... Read more
Pulses, sustainable 'superfoods' for the future (News)
World Pulses Day (10th February) is a designated United Nations global event to recognise the importance of pulses (chickpeas, dry beans, lentils, dry peas and lupins among others) as a global food. Together with partners across E ... Read more
February 10, 2020
Potential yield challenges to scaling-up of zero-budget natural farming in India (News)
A new report co-authored by a James Hutton Institute scientist and published in Nature Sustainability examines the potential impacts on food production of zero-budget natural farming, a farming system that is sweeping India. ... Read more
January 21, 2020
2020, International Year of Plant Health and Scotland’s Year of Coasts and Waters (News)
2020 is the International Year of Plant Health and Scotland’s Year of Coasts and Waters, bringing public attention to two huge global challenges and for good reason, say scientists at the James Hutton Institute. ... Read more
January 9, 2020
Ideas for climate-smart, nutritious festive meals (News)
With countries struggling to press forward after the recent COP25 summit in Madrid, and ever-increasing awareness of the impact that the climate emergency is having on our planet, consumers can do their bit by making changes to th ... Read more
December 17, 2019
Hutton scientist appointed first-ever female chair of influential soft fruit group (News)
James Hutton soft fruit breeder Dr Dorota Jarret has been appointed chair of the International Society for Horticultural Science’s (ISHS) Rubus and Ribes Species and Management working group - the first female scientist ... Read more
November 26, 2019
Fact-finding mission to China promotes joint research on sustainable agriculture (News)
Scientists of the James Hutton Institute recently visited China on a fact-finding mission to see how the Institute might collaborate with the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS) to improve soybean cropping in China thr ... Read more
November 12, 2019
UK and Peruvian crop scientists discuss potential of omic-based technologies (News)
A recent workshop co-organised by the Earlham Institute and the Catholic University of Santa María gathered plant scientists from Peru and the UK to discuss the application of 'omic' technologies for the research of ... Read more
September 26, 2019
Arable Scotland 2020 - online event (Event)
Arable Scotland 2 July 2020 Online ... Read more
Promoting crop diversification in European agriculture (News)
Scientists of the James Hutton Institute will meet with European colleagues to discuss all scientific aspects of diversifying agricultural and food systems, on the practical implementation of crop diversification in value chains a ... Read more
August 20, 2019
Hutton innovation shortlisted for British Farming Award (News)
Euan Caldwell, the James Hutton Institute’s Head of Farm, Field and Glasshouses, has been shortlisted in the Arable Innovator of the Year category of the British Farming Awards, organised by AgriBriefing. The winners will be ... Read more
August 16, 2019
Research team aim to ensure maize crop stability in southern Africa (News)
Maize is the most important cereal crop in southern Africa but without new management practices and with the increased risk of drought, yields which are already low are predicted to further decline. It is therefore critical that n ... Read more
August 12, 2019
Orskov Foundation to support African students in fight against changes in food security and climate change (News)
The Orskov Foundation, created to support students from developing countries to further their education in subjects related to agriculture, land use or the environment, has announced its grant awards for 2019. They include support ... Read more
July 30, 2019
Pea gin: how your choice of afternoon tipple could help save the rainforest (News)
It’s the season for a cold afternoon ‘gin & tonic’ on ice. The health impact of one too many is questionable, but what is the environmental footprint of that classically delicious aperitif? An international t ... Read more
July 22, 2019
Latest research on arable crops showcased at Arable Scotland (News)
Scientists of the James Hutton Institute have discussed the latest research on arable crops as part of the launch of new event Arable Scotland, including renewed breeding efforts aimed at developing quality crops for defined marke ... Read more
July 3, 2019
Plant health experts gather to strengthen Scotland’s resilience (News)
An online, user-friendly plant health information resource will be launched at Scotland's first-ever Plant Health Conference, which is set to gather representatives from industry, public bodies, government and scientists, all ... Read more
May 24, 2019
Arable Scotland: a brand new arable event for Scotland (News)
Three industry organisations have joined forces to launch a brand new field-based arable event for Scotland: Arable Scotland, which is jointly organised by AHDB, the James Hutton Institute and Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) ... Read more
May 8, 2019
Heat stress study aims to protect potato yields (News)
Temperature has a pronounced effect on the formation of potato tubers: when temperature is too high, potato plants form less or no tubers, which can greatly decrease yields. Scientists at the Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlange ... Read more
May 8, 2019
Open Farm Sunday 2019 (Event)
Come and spend a fun family day at Mylnefield Farm! The Institute will be taking part in Open Farm Sunday 2019 on 9 June. ... Read more
Potatoes in Practice 2019 (Event)
Potatoes in Practice is the largest field-based potato event in the UK. The event brings together variety demonstrations, research and trade exhibits in one place making it an essential date in the potato industry calendar. ... Read more
SSCR Potato Winter Meeting 7 March 2019 (Event)
The Scottish Society for Crop Research (SSCR) is holding their Potato Winter Meeting at the James Hutton Institute, Invergowrie. The event is open to anyone in the potato industry and other interested parties. CPD Points A tot ... Read more
Crop science at heart of new Scotland-Malaysia research collaboration (News)
The James Hutton Institute and the Malaysia-based Crops for the Future Research Centre (CFFRC) have agreed to cooperate on aspects of global agricultural sustainability, food security and nutrition, with emphasis on underutilised ... Read more
February 8, 2019
Feed the world, help the environment and make great beer: Cool Beans can do it all (News)
Imagine a crop that can be used to help secure sufficient food for a growing global population, benefit the environment and brew fantastic beer. There is one – several in fact: pulses. The James Hutton Institute has joined f ... Read more
February 6, 2019
Warmer winters threaten UK blackcurrant farming (News)
Warmer winters may not provide sufficient chilling for blackcurrants in the UK, delaying the start of the growing season and resulting in reduced yields and lower fruit quality, researchers have found. Like many fruit crops and ... Read more
December 17, 2018
Arable Scotland 2019 (Event)
Arable Scotland 2 July 2019 Balruddery Farm, Dundee ... Read more
New genetic tool may help breeders develop disease-resilient potatoes (News)
An improved technique for capturing DNA in crops may give plant breeders huge advantages when it comes to developing varieties that are more resilient to pests and diseases. The technique, known as diagnostic Resistance gene enric ... Read more
October 25, 2018
Hutton researcher success in Converge Challenge 2018 (News)
Hutton scientist Peter Orrell and his product MycoNourish have been announced as runners-up in the 2018 Converge Challenge, Scotland's leading higher education company creation programme, at a ceremony held yesterday in Edinbu ... Read more
September 21, 2018
MycoNourish announced as finalist of Converge Challenge 2018 (News)
MycoNourish, a product designed by Hutton scientist Peter Orrell, has been announced as finalist of the Converge Challenge 2018, Scotland's leading higher education company creation programme. ... Read more
September 6, 2018
Scottish hops a viable commercial crop, Hutton research finds (News)
After a four-year trial which saw the first harvest of Scottish hops in recent decades, scientists from the James Hutton Institute have created a practical guide booklet for farmers interested in growing the crop, which highlights ... Read more
August 30, 2018
Stress-resistant crops may be way forward in the face of extreme temperatures (News)
Scientists from the James Hutton Institute have alerted about the potential impact of extreme weather events - such as the current heatwave - on crop production, suggesting the development of stress-resistant crops as an important ... Read more
July 25, 2018
Peter Orrell wins Converge Challenge 2018 award (News)
Hutton scientist Dr Peter Orrell has won the ‘Ready Steady Pitch’ award of the Converge Challenge 2018 with his MycoNourish product, which uses fungi to act as a secondary root system and improve plant health. The re ... Read more
June 1, 2018
New KTP appointment to develop possibilities of honeyberries (News)
A new Knowledge Transfer Partnership involving the James Hutton Institute, its commercial subsidiary James Hutton Limited and the newly launched Scottish Honeyberry Cooperative aims to create a new ‘superfruit’ industr ... Read more
May 11, 2018
Partnership to develop run-off tool app (News)
The James Hutton Institute has partnered with Syngenta and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) to develop and test a run-off tool app. The tool will advise land managers on the best management practices to reduce r ... Read more
April 3, 2018
Open Farm Sunday 2018: New Venue! (Event)
Come and spend a fun family day at Glensaugh Farm! The Institute will be taking part in Open Farm Sunday 2018 on 10 June. ... Read more
Film screening - “10 Billion What’s on your plate?” (Event)
We are pleased to invite you to a screening of “10 Billion What’s on your plate?”, on Thursday 22 March 2018. Doors will be open at 6:30 pm with the event starting at 7:00. The film follows th ... Read more
SSCR Potato Winter Meeting 22 March 2018 (event now fully booked) (Event)
Please note that this event is now fully booked and no more registrations are being taken. Turning up without having registered first is not recommended as you may be turned away. Please accept our apologies. The Scottish Societ ... Read more
Berry promising future for new rasp Glen Carron (News)
A new raspberry variety, with exceptional fruit quality and high productivity, was presented at the Scottish Society for Crop Research and Bulrush Soft Fruit Information Day and Winter Meeting 2018. The new rasp, named Glen ... Read more
February 15, 2018
SSCR Combinable and Energy Crops Winter Meeting 6 March 2018 (Event)
The Scottish Society for Crop Research (SSCR) Combinable and Energy Crops Sub-committee will hold its Winter Meeting at the James Hutton Institute in Dundee. The event is open to anyone in the cereals industry and other interested ... Read more
Cereals in Practice 2018 (Event)
Cereals in Practice is the annual showcase of variety trials and research organised by the James Hutton Institute, SRUC (Scotland's Rural College) and the Scottish Society for Crop Research. ... Read more
Barley scientists investigate solutions to grain skinning (News)
A University of Dundee scientist based at the James Hutton Institute has been awarded more than £600,000 to study an increasing problem with the cereal crop barley that impacts the commercially important malting process and ... Read more
January 10, 2018
Potatoes in Practice 2018 (Event)
Potatoes in Practice is the largest field-based potato event in the UK. The event brings together variety demonstrations, research and trade exhibits in one place making it an essential date in the potato industry calendar. ... Read more
Hutton expertise to support 1.2 billion dollar Indian initiative aimed at combating climate change (News)
Research from the James Hutton Institute will be utilised in a new initiative, with a potential spend of 1.2 billion dollars, aimed at tackling climate change and reducing greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) in India. One of the major ... Read more
November 21, 2017
Researchers to look into commercial potential of volcanic dust boosted honeyberries (News)
A research collaboration between REMIN, the James Hutton Institute, James Hutton Limited and a group of Tayside soft fruit growers led by Arbuckle's of Invergowrie has been awarded funding to investigate the economic potential ... Read more
September 1, 2017
Rising Star Award goes to entrepreneurial Hutton scientist (News)
An enterprising plant scientist and master distiller with links to the James Hutton Institute and Abertay University has been chosen as one of Farmers Weekly’s first-ever Rising Stars. At just 35, PhD student Kirsty Black ... Read more
August 17, 2017
Blueberry breeding consortium launched in Dundee (News)
A Blueberry Breeding Consortium including members from three European countries held its inaugural meeting at the James Hutton Institute in Dundee yesterday. The new consortium will fund a blueberry breeding programme which will ... Read more
August 9, 2017
Berry latest research on show at Fruit for the Future (News)
Join us at Invergowrie near Dundee on Thursday 13th July for the 2017 edition of Fruit for the Future, the annual showcase of soft fruit research including scientific presentations, outdoors demonstrations and walks through experi ... Read more
July 11, 2017
Open Farm Sunday 2017 (Event)
Come and spend a fun family day on the farm! ... Read more
PotatoSize: an easier way of estimating potato crop size distribution (News)
As one of the world's most important food crops, potatoes are grown for many different markets. It is fundamental for farmers to know when to halt crop growth to achieve optimal tuber size for market and so maximize profits. U ... Read more
April 28, 2017
Berries may be beneficial for diabetes, cardiovascular disease and obesity (News)
Consumption of berries may have beneficial effects on health related to type-2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, obesity, neurodegenerative diseases and cancers. The beneficial effects may be due to the presence of protective pol ... Read more
February 16, 2017
SSCR Combinable and Energy Crops Winter Meeting 16 March 2017 (Event)
The Scottish Society for Crop Research (SSCR) Combinable and Energy Crops Sub-committee will hold its Winter Meeting at the James Hutton Institute in Dundee. The event is open to anyone in the cereals industry and other interested ... Read more
Forming a second line of plant defence: capturing disease-resistant DNA (News)
Scientists have developed an improved technique for capturing longer DNA fragments, doubling the size up to 7000 DNA bases that can be analysed for novel genes which provide plants with immunity to disease. By using the RenSeq m ... Read more
December 13, 2016
SSCR Potato Winter Meeting 23 March 2017 (Event)
The Scottish Society for Crop Research (SSCR) is holding their Potato Winter Meeting at the James Hutton Institute, Invergowrie. The event is open to anyone in the potato industry and other interested parties. BASIS points have be ... Read more
Hutton Criteria for potato late blight risk analysis unveiled at AHDB conference (News)
New risk criteria which aim to transform the performance of potato late blight alert systems were revealed today (7th December) at AHDB’s Agronomists’ Conference in Peterborough. Arising from research undertaken by t ... Read more
December 7, 2016
Potatoes in Practice 2017 (Event)
Potatoes in Practice is the largest field-based potato event in the UK. The event brings together variety demonstrations, research and trade exhibits in one place making it an essential date in the potato industry calendar. ... Read more
“Magic margins” win Innovation Award at RSPB Nature of Scotland Awards (News)
A practical ‘magic margins’ solution to soil erosion devised by the James Hutton Institute’s Farm, Field & Glasshouse team won the Innovation Award at the RSPB Nature of Scotland 2016 Awards prizegiving cerem ... Read more
November 25, 2016
Photo imaging system drives innovation in crop stress detection (News)
A research consortium including the James Hutton Institute and AHDB Horticulture is developing a cutting-edge new technology system which can remotely monitor soft fruit crops for stresses. The InnovateUK-funded research aims to p ... Read more
November 24, 2016
Scottish and Kenyan potato experts strengthen collaborative links (News)
Scientists, plant health officials, representatives from farmers’ organisations and potato growers from Scotland and Kenya participated in a workshop held in Nairobi to discuss findings from BBSRC and Scottish Government fun ... Read more
November 17, 2016
PotatoSize: an easier way of estimating potato crop size distribution (News)
As one of the world's most important food crops, potatoes are grown for many different markets. It is fundamental for farmers to know when to halt crop growth to achieve optimal tuber size for market and so maximize profits. U ... Read more
November 3, 2016
Sichuan Academy of Agricultural Sciences and James Hutton Institute strengthen collaborative links (News)
A Memorandum of Understanding has been signed between the Sichuan Academy of Agricultural Sciences (SAAS), China, and the James Hutton Institute, during a visit of a SAAS delegation to the Institute's Dundee site. SAAS ... Read more
October 27, 2016
Stochastic Anaerobic Digestion Economic Assessment Tool (Research Page)
What is anaerobic digestion? Anaerobic digestion is a process by which micro-organisms break down biodegradable material in the absence of oxygen, leading to the production of biogas and bio-fertilisers. Anaerobic digestion tech ... Read more
Maize and wheat informatics for improved livelihoods around the world (News)
Bioinformaticians at the James Hutton Institute are contributing to a major research effort which seeks to deliver better maize and wheat varieties to over 40 countries around the world, with the aim of improving resilience to far ... Read more
September 12, 2016
Our Science (Research Page)
Our work covers much of the terrestrial environment and involves soils, water and crop production. Soils Physical, chemical and biological processes within soils underpin a vast range of ecosystem services. Our work deals with ... Read more
The GROW Observatory: a citizen science project for growers, gardeners, farmers and space scientists (News)
The launch of a massive, European-wide project aiming to involve tens of thousands of ‘citizen scientists’ in a drive to empower growers with knowledge on sustainable practices and make a vital contribution to global e ... Read more
September 5, 2016
An evening walk to discover our latest developments in soft fruit science (News)
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 ... Read more
July 8, 2016
Potato parasite’s 'toolkit’ revealed (News)
Parasitic nematode worms are the 'hidden enemy’ of farmers worldwide, causing billions of pounds worth of crop damage every year. Now an international research collaboration led by the University of Dundee and the Jame ... Read more
June 13, 2016
Joint winners for prestigious Massalski research prize (News)
Two young scientists based at the James Hutton Institute in Dundee have been jointly awarded the Peter Massalski Prize for meritorious research. ... Read more
May 12, 2016
Brazil-UK partnership to improve energy and food security through nitrogen fixation (News)
Scientists in Brazil and the UK are joining forces to help solve urgent food and energy security issues in South America's most populous country, by establishing a virtual centre that will investigate how to reduce the use of ... Read more
April 27, 2016
Berries: not just delicious but healthy too (News)
Following on from TV series "How to Stay Young”, whose first episode was broadcast last night on BBC One, scientists at the James Hutton Institute are pleased to see that the message is getting through about the many he ... Read more
April 15, 2016
Scientists investigate potential of plant traits and intercropping to reduce reliance on fertilisers (News)
Ongoing research by the James Hutton Institute, Rothamsted Research and Lancaster University is shedding light into the dark world of roots and soils, by focusing on the potential of plants to harness the phosphorus (P) already pr ... Read more
April 4, 2016
Plant scientists in drive to influence tuber shape formation (News)
Crop traits such as consistency, predictability and storability are highly desirable for the agricultural industry, and of particular importance to potato growers. However, do we understand the genetics behind the traits, and more ... Read more
March 28, 2016
James Hutton Group awarded £22.8m for agriculture, food and environment research (News)
Scotland will remain at the forefront of ground-breaking advances in farming and food production as a result of continued Scottish Government funding for scientific research, Rural Affairs Secretary Richard Lochhead has said. Mo ... Read more
March 21, 2016
Prospects for North East Scotland’s land-based industries outlined in report (News)
Is the land-based sector in North East Scotland resilient enough to face future challenges? This question, along with many others, is at the centre of a report commissioned by the North East Scotland Agricultural Advisory Group (N ... Read more
March 17, 2016
Plant Health Strategy announcement welcomed (News)
Scientists at the James Hutton Institute have welcomed the launch of a Plant Health Strategy by Dr Aileen McLeod MSP, Scottish Government Minister for Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform. The new strategy includes the appo ... Read more
March 7, 2016
International Barley Hub project presented at UK Parliament (News)
Scientists from the James Hutton Institute were yesterday at the Houses of Parliament in London to make the case and win parliamentarians’ support for the International Barley Hub (IBH), a project that aims to create an uniq ... Read more
March 4, 2016
Soft fruit conference told about honeyberry potential (News)
What tastes like a cross between a raspberry and blueberry, is packed full of healthy compounds and is suited to cold climates? Growers in Scotland heard about the business potential of honeyberries - a new 'superberry' fr ... Read more
February 18, 2016
James Hutton Limited commercial director shortlisted for Scottish Knowledge Exchange Award (News)
Dr Jonathan Snape, Commercial Director of our subsidiary James Hutton Limited, has been shortlisted in the Outstanding Contribution to Knowledge Exchange category of the inaugural Scottish Knowledge Exchange Awards, organised by I ... Read more
February 4, 2016
Dundee-China collaboration discovers potential ‘Achilles heel’ of potato blight (News)
Scientists working in Scotland and China have uncovered a potential Achilles’ heel in the organism which causes potato blight, a global problem with associated costs estimated at US$6billion around the world every year. Bl ... Read more
February 2, 2016
SSCR Combinable and Energy Crops Winter Meeting 2016 - MEETING POSTPONED (Event)
The Combinable and Energy Crops Committee regret to advise that this meeting has been postponed. A new date will be announced later in the year. We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience or disappointment this might cause to ... Read more
Berries – beneficial in more ways than one (News)
Berries are associated with health, and some of them have even been dubbed “superfoods”. According to a recent study, they might even be beneficial for our health in ways previously unexplored: scientists in the US and ... Read more
January 19, 2016
SSCR Potato Winter Meeting 2016 (Event)
The Winter 2016 meeting of the Scottish Society for Crop Research (SSCR) Potato Sub-committee will be held at the James Hutton Institute in Dundee on 24 March 2016. Programme Programme can be found by clicking the link below: ... Read more
UK increasingly 'outsourcing' environmental impacts of its food supply (News)
A new study from researchers at the James Hutton Institute, the University of Aberdeen, the Rowett Institute of Nutrition and Health and the Alpen-Adria University in Vienna shows that the UK’s food self-sufficiency has decr ... Read more
January 6, 2016
SRUC-SEPA Conference: What Future for our Farming Systems? Environmental Challenges and Integrated Solutions (Event)
Farming systems across Scotland, the UK and Europe can vary markedly from place to place. A range of factors can influence what types of production are practiced in any one place. However, climate and soil type are especially impo ... Read more
Genomics, Gene Discovery and Genome Editing in Crops (Event)
Diverse climatic and geographical zones in Peru are home to a great variety of crops (e.g., potatoes, quinoa, asparagus, and coffee). Recent advances in genomics and biotechnology offer great potential to address biotic and abioti ... Read more
Our work in the media: blueberries and oats (News)
The science of the James Hutton Institute continues to attract the interest of the media. This time, Dr Julie Graham and Professor Derek Stewart were featured in the latest season of BBC programme Harvest, in which they discussed ... Read more
October 23, 2015
Hoppy days! Experimental beer made from Hutton hops (News)
James Hutton Institute scientists have achieved an unusual feat: they have harvested a full batch of hops in Dundee. Some of this has been shared with St Andrews Brewing Company, which has produced an experimental wet (green) hop ... Read more
October 9, 2015
Research Facilities (Research Page)
... Read more
Research uncovers patterns of pest infestation in yard-long beans (News)
Protein dense yard-long beans offer an affordable source of vitamins, particularly in South Asia where the crops thrive. However, the bean pod borer, Maruca vitrata, threatens the production of these vitamin-rich legumes, with pot ... Read more
September 21, 2015
Potatoes in Practice 2016 (Event)
Potatoes in Practice is the largest field-based potato event in the UK. The event brings together variety demonstrations, research and trade exhibits in one place making it an essential date in the potato industry calendar. ... Read more
European Association for Potato Research (EAPR) Pathology and Pests Section Meeting (Event)
The next meeting of the European Association for Potato Research (EAPR), Pathology and Pests Section, will be held in Dundee, Scotland, UK, 7th to 11th August 2016. This meeting covers research into potato pests a ... Read more
Major European award for plant genetics research (News)
A James Hutton Institute and University of Dundee scientist has been awarded a prestigious European Research Council (ERC) Advanced Grant to undertake research on the fundamental mechanisms that underpin the inheritance of genetic ... Read more
July 8, 2015
Cereals in Practice moves to NE Scotland (News)
Cereals in Practice, the annual showcase of variety trials and research organised by the James Hutton Institute and Scotland's Rural College (SRUC), is again taking place on 2 July 2015. The event offers a range of advice and ... Read more
June 26, 2015
Managing agriculture in the face of phosphorus scarcity (Event)
In this seminar, hosted by Dr Tim George from our Ecological Sciences group, Dr Alan Richardson (CSIRO) will discuss ways of managing farming systems on phosphorus (P) deficient soils. Abstract ... Read more
Hutton researchers promote UK-India dialogue on pollinators (News)
Land use and ecological surveys are urgently required to assess the ecology of pollinating insects within and around agricultural systems in India. That is one of the aims of the UK-Indian Initiative in Agroecology, whose first me ... Read more
March 20, 2015
Microbial interactions in the wheat rhizosphere (Event)
Hosted by Dr Vivian Blok from our Cell and Molecular Sciences group, this seminar by Dr Timothy Mauchline (Rothamsted Research) will discuss microbial interactions in the wheat rhizosphere, specifically looking into the influence ... Read more
Plant NLR-types receptors in immune-dependent chromatin remodelling (Event)
In this seminar, hosted by Jens Tilsner from our Cell and Molecular Sciences group, Dr Martin Cann (Durham University) will discuss the role of plant NLR (Nucleotide Binding and C-terminal Leucine Rich Repeat) -type receptors in i ... Read more
2015 CLS/Hutton Distinguished Lecture: The Microbiome in Health and Agriculture (Event)
Dr Jack A Gilbert, leader of the Hospital Microbiome Project, Earth Microbiome Project, Home Microbiome Project, and co-founder of American Gut will be visiting Dundee to deliver the 2015 CLS/Hutton Distinguished Lecture on T ... Read more
SSCR Potato Winter Meeting 2015 (Event)
The Winter 2015 meeting of the Scottish Society for Crop Research (SSCR) Potato Sub-committee will be held at the James Hutton Institute in Dundee on 3 April 2015. Programme Full programme can be found by clicking the li ... Read more
Addressing complex real-world problems: a new discipline, a repository and you (Event)
This seminar by Professor Gabriele Bammer will discuss our ability to contribute effectively to the resolution of complex real-world problems, and will propose the development of a new science discipline around integration and imp ... Read more
New light shed on microbial battleground between soil and roots (News)
The soil around roots of plants such as barley – one of our most important crops - is a battleground where only certain bacteria can survive, suggests evidence gathered by an international team including a scientist based at ... Read more
February 27, 2015
Mexico and UK in joint effort against plant diseases (News)
Plant diseases cost the world enough food to feed at least half a billion people, equivalent to 100 times the population of Scotland, every year. The interaction between plants, microbes and insects is a key battleground in the gl ... Read more
February 19, 2015
Barley research making the headlines (News)
As the world’s fourth most important cereal crop and the UK’s second largest, grown on about half of Scotland’s arable land, barley is sure to get the attention of researchers, growers and industry. This time it ... Read more
February 18, 2015
Books and Book Chapters (Research Page)
Water Ecosystem Services - A Global Perspective ... Read more
Food security group wins major funding for world-leading food and land research (News)
The Scottish Food Security Alliance-Crops (SFSA-C), a collaborative venture between the University of Aberdeen, the James Hutton Institute and the University of Dundee, has been awarded prestigious funding to research the global l ... Read more
December 10, 2014
Potatoes in Practice 2015 (Event)
Potatoes in Practice is the largest field-based potato event in the UK. The event brings together variety trials, research and trade exhibits in one place making it an essential date in the potato industry calendar. ... Read more
Slovenian researchers visit to discuss CropSustaIn progress (News)
Researchers from the Agricultural Institute of Slovenia (AIS) visited the James Hutton Institute as part of the CropSustaIn project, which looks into alternatives for sustainable crop production in Slovenia in the face of global c ... Read more
November 27, 2014
Soils@Hutton - Soils and pathogens (Research Page)
Soil and Virus Research ... Read more
Scottish research helps tackle global and local agricultural challenges (News)
Researchers at the James Hutton Institute have endorsed and repeated the view of this week’s high-profile Development Dialogues conference in New York that work to ‘climate-proof’ agriculture lies at the core of ... Read more
September 26, 2014
Diffuse pollution modelling (Research Page)
Data from spatial monitoring of water quality provided parameter sets for validation of catchment scale models. These have been used in a number of externally funded research projects including REFRESH. ... Read more
Phosphorus biogeochemistry in riparian buffer strips (Research Page)
Management to mitigate pollutant swapping Buffer strips are useful for mitigating diffuse pollution. As riparian buffers perform their role in sediment trapping, P accumulates with no loss mechanism (as in wetland denitrificatio ... Read more
Young scientist nominated as Business Leader of Tomorrow (News)
A young horticultural scientist who has implemented changes to growing practices, which are already bringing financial benefits as part of a Knowledge Transfer Partnership, has been nominated for the prestigious Business Leader of ... Read more
July 23, 2014
Best Soil in Show 2014 winner shares recipe for success (News)
After winning Best Soil in Show 2014 in June, 16-year-old Douglas Greig came to the James Hutton Institute to share some of the secrets behind his great success with farm manager Euan Caldwell. He hopes this will help other young ... Read more
July 11, 2014
Developments on arable crops showcased at Cereals in Practice (News)
How to protect cereal crops from the increased disease pressure caused by the mild winter and spring and early drilling was a key point of interest at this year’s Cereals in Practice event, co-hosted by the James Hutton Inst ... Read more
June 27, 2014
Raspberry IPM system featured in global hub (News)
James Hutton Institute senior research entomologist, Professor Nick Birch, has been nominated by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) to present his Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programme for raspb ... Read more
May 26, 2014
Work underway to improve malting barley quality (News)
Researchers at the James Hutton Institute and leading commercial breeding companies are working to improve the quality of winter barley for malting purposes, in a bid to address the concerns of maltsters, brewers and distillers ab ... Read more
April 14, 2014
East of Scotland field campaign 2014 (Research Page)
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The Atlantic Maritime Croplands – sustainability and environment (Research Page)
A case study on sustainable agriculture and the environment at the James Hutton Institute ... Read more
New Zealand flatworm (Research Page)
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LandSFACTS model details (inputs/outputs) (Research Page)
The LandsFACTS model was originally (v1.6) set up to simulate cropping systems at the landscape scale. Since 2007, it was further developed to allow modelling land uses at multiple scales within an evolving environment. The diagra ... Read more
LandSFACTS (Research Page)
LANDscape Scale Functional Allocation of Crops Temporally and Spatially ... Read more
Scenarios and land use futures (Research Page)
Environmental, economic and social issues associated with agriculture are often fundamental for rural prosperity and sustainability, with consequent implications for any debate about future land use. A key to supporting the planni ... Read more
Natural resource datasets and databases (Research Page)
Soil mapping ... Read more
Bacterial endosymbionts and beneficial insects (Research Page)
A promising area for managing insect pests is through improved understanding of the importance of microbes associated with insects. Many insect species rely on symbiotic bacteria for their survival and these ‘hidden players& ... Read more
Exploiting plant traits to improve pest biocontrol (Research Page)
Exploiting genetic variation in the ability of plants to resist or tolerate attack by pests and pathogens has long been a focus of crop breeding programmes, although the genetic basis for plant resistance is often poorly-understoo ... Read more
Integrated pest management - weeds (Research Page)
Expertise and capability at the James Hutton institute, Dundee ... Read more
Principal Investigators involved in IPM (Research Page)
Principal Investigators working on IPM at the James Hutton Institute. ... Read more
IPM research platforms and networks (Research Page)
Centre for Sustainable Cropping ... Read more
IPM-related research grants (Research Page)
Several funded projects at the James Hutton Institute are either specifically about IPM or the toolbox components. ... Read more
Integrated pest management (Research Page)
At the James Hutton Institute we carry out research in several areas to create a toolbox of flexible solutions, that when deployed together, are more effective, that is, components of sustainable integrated pest management (IPM), ... Read more
IPM in the agroecosystem (Research Page)
IPM is also about managing the other species in agroecosystem and not just the crop and visible weeds, pathogens, pests and their symptoms. It should also include management of: ... Read more
IPM, sustainability and climate change (Research Page)
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What is IPM? (Research Page)
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Natural products and food chemistry (Research Page)
We have a global reputation for our work crops, and in particular using high-throughput phenotyping approaches, such as metabolomics and transcriptomics, to assess a range of quality characteristics and their genetic control. ... Read more
Agricultural habitat usage by wood mice (Research Page)
Background Small mammals, such as the wood mouse (Apodemus sylvaticus), are a known food source for birds of prey such as barn owls and species of harrier, and rare large mammals such as pine marten, polecats and wildcats. Wood ... Read more
Molecular ecology of peach-potato aphid (Research Page)
Background and rationale ... Read more
Virus vector aphid ecology and epidemiology in the potato crop (Research Page)
Background and rationale ... Read more
HAP-E@Hutton (Research Page)
The core research group in the Centre for Human and Animal Pathogens in the Environment (HAP-E) at the James Hutton Institute studies the following pathogen-environment systems. ... Read more
Tightening nutrient cycles in the crop-soil-water ecosystem (Research Page)
Researchers at the James Hutton Institute are working on a number of ways to tighten nutrient cycles. This involves a combination of knowledge into how to reuse societies 'wastes' such as sewage effluent discharges as va ... Read more
Water and food security (Research Page)
Water shortages and drought are the greatest threats facing global food security. At the James Hutton Institute we use a combination of plant and soil sciences to identify crop traits and crop production systems that can maintain ... Read more
Plant systems modelling (Research Page)
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Plant Soil Ecology (Research Page)
Increasing global demand for food, feed and energy crops requires sustainable intensification of agriculture, which must occur without impact on biodiversity or the environment. We have a strong research team that integrates kn ... Read more
Root-soil interactions (Research Page)
This interdisciplinary research examines below ground interactions between plants and soil, focusing on root growth and the rhizosphere. Research includes root growth processes in relation to environmental stresses, nutrient and w ... Read more
Optimising soil conditions (Research Page)
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Improving the plant (Research Page)
Better use of water and nutrients, increased resistance to stresses and less wastage in production are major research challenges we address. A combination of genetics and agronomy provides an in-depth understanding of favourable p ... Read more
Agroecology (Research Page)
Latest .... major success so far in EU H2020 bids .... TRUE, DIVERSIFY and TOMRES .... details to follow .... Newton projects begin March 2017 .... success for doctoral students ... ... Read more
Environmental and Biochemical Sciences (Research Page)
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