Potato is one of the world’s most important food crops, but the vulnerability of yield levels to plant stresses limit the crop’s uptake in some parts of the world, particularly in areas impacted by climate change. This reduces potato’s potential to support food security in such regions.

New research by James Hutton Institute plant scientists has found that a specific protein encoded by the potato genome is a key component of tuberisation – the process by which the potato plant initiates and develops tubers.

Natural extracts from brown seaweeds native to the UK have been shown to have antiviral properties that could help stop the spread of viral diseases. Researchers at the James Hutton Institute and AIM-listed partners Byotrol plc have been awarded funding to investigate chemical components from brown seaweeds and identify a way to extract them into effective natural antiviral agents.

Agricultural scientists of the James Hutton Institute have been awarded £220,000 by Horizon 2020, the European Union’s research and innovation programme, to find ways to promote the adoption of integrated pest management strategies among an EU-wide network of farmers, and help achieve enhanced profitability with low reliance on pesticides and better pest control.

Arable Scotland 2020, Scotland's newest field event focussing on arable crops, is taking place online on 2nd July 10:00 am and will major on alternative crops and new markets. Registration for the free event is open at www.arablescotland.org.uk [5].

Research funded by Scotland’s Centre of Expertise for Waters (CREW) is examining the potential of wastewater testing to help monitor the spread of coronavirus in Scotland.

The International Association for People-environment Studies (IAPS), currently presided by Dr Tony Craig, head of our Social, Economic and Geographical Sciences department, begins its conference today. The conference theme, “Running out of time: setting the pace for future generations”, stresses the urgency of progressing towards more sustainable societies, of changes to improve people’s quality of life, of reducing social and population inequalities, and of healing our planet. The conference also focuses on where and how to implement these changes.  

Professor Bob Ferrier, Director of Scotland's Hydro Nation International Centre at the James Hutton Institute, has appeared in OOSKAnews' latest aquaNOW Audience to discuss how HNIC is aiming to bring together a critical mass of the Scottish water research community to focus on developing talent, promoting innovation, supporting expertise and maximising outcomes that can be applied in any global context.

A research paper co-authored by Moredun Research Institute and Biomathematics and Statistics Scotland (BioSS) scientists has been named as joint winner of the 2019 3Rs prize, a prestigious award which recognises work that has had a major impact on the replacement, reduction and refinement of the use of animals in research.

The study, led by Dr Francesca Nunn from the Moredun Research Institute, describes an optimised device to improve the testing of treatments against poultry red mites, reducing the number of hens used in field trials.

The James Hutton Institute today announced the appointment of Mr Graeme Dickson, former senior civil servant and energy specialist, to its Board of Directors as a non-executive director.

Mr Dickson’s appointment is part of the normal process of rolling Board renewal.

Mr Dickson trained as a geologist and worked in the oil industry as a geophysicist prior to joining the civil service, holding positions in the Treasury and leading many departments in the Scottish Government. He was Director General, Enterprise, Environment and Innovation until 2016.

The programme for Arable Scotland 2020, Scotland's newest field event focussing on arable crops, has been announced. This year's event is taking place online and will major on alternative crops and new markets.