studentship conference 2015 - ahdb...

Studentship Conference 2015

Conference programme and abstracts

16 September 2015

Chateau Impney, Droitwich Spa, Worcestershire,

WR9 0BN

AHDB Horticulture is a division of the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB)


Conference programme and abstracts

The aim of the Annual Studentship Conference is to provide a forum for

members of the Studentship and Fellowship community to meet each

other, to share experiences and to present progress on projects. More

importantly, it provides opportunities for Students and Fellows to engage

directly with the industry that they serve.

Conference Programme

11:30 REGISTRATION

12:00 Lunch

13:00 Welcome and overview of day Gary Taylor, Chairman of AHDB Horticulture & Jon Knight, Head of Research & KE for Horticulture

PRESENTATIONS: CROP QUALITY & PRECISION AGRONOMY

13.15 Genetic mapping and high throughput phenotyping of fruit quality traits in Fragaria x ananassa

Studentship Project CP 094 Laima Antanavicuite, East Malling Research

13:45 Improving resource use efficiency in bedding plants through alternative irrigation and lighting

Studentship Project PO 017 Richard Boyle, Lancaster University

14:15 The application of precision agronomy to UK production of Narcissus

Studentship Project CP 103 James Syrett, University of Warwick

14.45 NETWORKING AND POSTER SESSION ~ Refreshments available ~

Studentships

CP 079 CP 091 CP 092 CP 094 CP 103 CP 104 CP 105 CP 106 CP 114 CP 115 CP 117 CP 118

- Understanding the mechanism and role that pre-harvest horticultural maturity, agronomic factors and growing conditions have on postharvest discoloration in celery; Simone Rossi, Cranfield University

- Biology of cabbage whitefly (Aleyrodes proletella); Spencer Collins, University of Warwick

- The role of naturally occurring insect pathogenic fungi in regulating aphid populations on vegetable brassica crops; Liam Harvey, University of Warwick

- Genetic mapping and high throughput phenotyping of fruit quality traits in Fragaria x ananassa; Laima Antanaviciute, East Malling Research

- The application of precision agronomy to UK production of Narcissus; James Syrett, University of Warwick

- Novel approaches for the management of leaf and bud nematodes (Aphelenchoides spp) in hardy nursery stock; Idowu Rotifa, Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC)

- Integrated protection of horticultural crops through enhancing endogenous defence mechanisms; Daniel De Vega Pérez, The James Hutton Institute

- Precolonisation of strawberry runners and tray plants with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi to manage verticillium wilt; Benjamin Langendorf, East Malling Research Investigating the structure, function and potential restoration of ecological networks in apple orchards (BBSRC CASE Studentship); Samantha Ardin, University of Bristol Integrated Pest Management of root pests in field vegetables: impact of soil management on cabbage root fly success and its natural regulation (TEAGASC Walsh Fellowship Award); Celine Delabre, Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC)

- Investigating the cause and potential treatment of coriander yield decline; Kate Fraser, Newcastle University

- Cucurbit pollination: mechanisms and management to optimise field crop quality and quantity; Jessica Knapp, University of Exeter

-

14.45 NETWORKING AND POSTER SESSION continued…

Studentships (continued)

CP 121 CP 122 CP 131 FV 420

FV 422 FV 432 SF 144 PO 017 PE 023

- Outdoor Lettuce -Towards precision inputs through improved understanding of the

underlying causes of in-field variation in crop maturity; Yara Boubou, Harper Adams University

- - The identification of viral pathogens suitable for the control of Drosophila suzukii in

the UK; Nathan Medd, University of Edinburgh

- PHD Scholarship in Sources of Innovation in the Fresh Produce Industry; Jonathan Menary, University of Warwick Intervention study to determine the effect of consumption of carrots and other polyacetylene-rich vegetables on the effect on biomarkers of chronic disease risk; Sarah Warner; Newcastle University

- Improved management of light leaf spot in Brassicas by exploiting resistance and understanding pathogen variation; Coretta Kloeppel, University of Hertfordshire

- Carrots: Understanding the ecology and epidemiology of Pythium violae to enable disease management; Kathryn Hales, University of Warwick

- Early detection of stress in strawberry plants using novel image analysis techniques; Amy Lowe; University of Nottingham Improving resource use efficiency in bedding plants through alternative irrigation and lighting; Richard Boyle; Lancaster University

- Hormetic UVC Treatments for Control of Plant Diseases on Protected Edible Crops; George Scott, Loughborough University

Fellowships

CP 086 CP 095 CP 113

- Weed control in ornamentals, fruit and vegetable crops maintaining capability to devise sustainable weed control strategies (EMT/HTA/AHDB Fellowship); Angela Huckle, ADAS UK Ltd

- Sustainable resource use in horticulture: a systems approach to delivering high quality plants grown in sustainable substrates, with efficient water use, and novel nutrient sources (RHS/AHDB Fellowship); Dr Gracie Barrett, The Royal Horticultural Society

- Maintaining and developing capability in vegetable crop pathology (AHDB/Warwick Fellowship); Andrew Taylor, University of Warwick

PRESENTATIONS: INNOVATIONS IN PEST AND DISEASE CONTROL

16:00 Brassicas: the role of naturally occurring insect pathogenic fungi in regulating aphid populations on vegetable Brassica crops

Studentship Project CP 092 Liam Harvey, University of Warwick

16:30 Biology of the cabbage whitefly (Aleyrodes proletella)

Studentship Project CP 091 Spencer Collins, University of Warwick

17:00 Your career in horticulture Ed Moorhouse, G’s Growers

17:30 Closing remarks Bill Parker, R&D and KE Director of Crops

Contacts

While we cannot list the personal contact details for other conference delegates, we

encourage you to exchange details between yourselves and to help, we have provided this

handy table for your connections:

Name @ Email Tel Notes

Contents

PRESENTATIONS: CROP QUALITY & PRECISION AGRONOMY

1. Genetic mapping and phenotyping fruit quality and plant characteristics traits in

cultivated strawberry

1

2. Improving resource use efficiency in bedding plants through alternative irrigation and

lighting

2

3. The Application of Precision Agronomy to UK Production of Narcissus

3

PRESENTATIONS: INNOVATIONS IN PEST AND DISEASE CONTROL

4. The role of naturally occurring entomopathogenic fungi in the aphid population crash in

field brassica crops

7

5. Biology of the Cabbage whitefly (Aleyrodes proletella)

8

CURRENT STUDENTSHIP PROJECTS

6. Understanding the underlying mechanisms and the role that pre-harvest horticultural

maturity, agronomic factors and growing conditions have on postharvest discolouration

in celery

11

7. Field Vegetables: On-line measurement of selected soil properties towards the

refinement of fertilisation management

12

8. Novel approaches for the management of leaf and bud nematodes in hardy nursery

stock

13

9. Integrated protection of horticultural crops through enhancing their endogenous defence

mechanisms

14

10. Pre-colonisation of strawberry runners and tray plants with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi

to manage Verticillium wilt

15

11. Investigating the structure, function and potential restoration of ecological networks in

apple orchards

16

12. Integrated Pest Management of root pests in field vegetables: impact of soil management

on cabbage root fly success and its natural regulation

17

13. Investigating the cause and potential treatment of coriander yield decline

18

14. Cucurbit pollination: mechanisms and management to optimise field quality and quantity

19

15. Towards precision inputs through improved understanding of the underlying causes of

in-field variation in lettuce crop maturity and yield

20

16. The identification of viral pathogens suitable for the control of Drosophila suzukii in the

UK.

21

17. Sources of Innovation in the Fresh Produce Industry

22

18. Intervention study to determine the effect of consumption of carrots and other

polyacetylene-rich vegetables on the effect on biomarkers of chronic disease risk

23

19. Improved management of light leaf spot in brassicas by exploiting resistance and

understanding pathogen variation

24

20. Understanding the ecology and epidemiology of Pythium violae to enable disease

management.

25

21. Watercress: Effect of regular consumption during radiotherapy treatment for early stage

breast cancer

26

22. Early detection of stress in strawberry plants using hyperspectral image analysis

27

23. Hormetic UVC Treatments for Control of Plant Diseases on Protected Edible Crops

28

CURRENT FELLOWSHIP PROJECTS

24. Securing skills and expertise in crop light responses for UK protected horticulture, with

specific reference to exploitation of LED technology

29

25. Weed control in ornamentals, fruit and vegetable crops - maintaining capability to devise

suitable weed control strategies

30

26. Working with the industry to develop the next generation of technical staff for the UK

horticulture industry through a Summer Research Programme

31

27. Maintaining the expertise for developing and communicating practical Integrated Pest

Management (IPM) solutions for horticulture

32

28. Succession planning to sustain the UK’s expertise in field and laboratory plant pathology

research and development

33

29. Sustainable resource use in horticulture: a systems approach to delivering high quality

plants grown in sustainable substrates, with efficient water use and novel nutrient

sources

34

30. Maintaining and developing capability in vegetable crop pathology

35

NEW STUDENTSHIP PROJECTS

31. Optimising the use of biocontrol agents to improve the control of Botrytis cinerea in key

vegetable and fruit crops

36

32. The molecular basis of pathogenicity of Neonectria ditissima

37

33. Enhancing control of the soft- and stone- fruit pest Drosophila suzukii (Spotted Wing

Drosophila) by exploiting its activity patterns in the field.

38

34. Increasing crop yield and resource use efficiency via root-zone CO2 enrichment

39

35. GROWBOT: A Grower-Reprogrammable Robot for Ornamental Plant Production Tasks

40

PRESENTATIONS

CROP QUALITY & PRECISION AGRONOMY

Abstracts


1

CP 094: Genetic mapping and phenotyping fruit quality and plant characteristics traits in cultivated strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa)

Laima Antanaviciute, East Malling Research

Supervisors: Richard Harrison, East Malling Research Nick Battey, University of Reading

Industry Representative: Marion Regan, Hugh Lowe Farms

Start Date: 01 October 2012 End Date: 01 October 2015

Strawberry breeding for disease resistance and fruit quality traits is a challenging process due to its complex

octoploid genetics. However, recent advances in molecular techniques, such as next-generation

sequencing and SNP array genotyping, have led to the development of high density genetic linkage maps

in octoploid strawberry and further improving quantitative trait loci (QTL) studies. These advantages

enabled the development of molecular markers linked to some fruit quality and disease resistance traits,

which can be further used in marker-assisted breeding (MAB). The use of MAB in plant breeding programs

can significantly improve the selection of genotypes, thus reducing time and cost of plant breeding.

Today, breeders are increasingly moving towards the implementation of a new approach - genomic

selection (GS), and it is important that strategies for accurately and cheaply measuring phenotypic variation

on training populations are developed. There is relatively little information about how different traits are

correlated at the phenotypic or at the genetic level in strawberries. An increased understanding of the

potential trade-offs between traits, either caused by pleotropic effects of the same QTL, or by linkage drag

is important for new elite line development and deployment of markers in breeding programs.

In this study, work has been carried out to understand how

different complex traits are correlated in the octoploid strawberry

at the phenotypic and genotypic level and to investigate how this

affects the deployment of markers in breeding. The discovery of

the best and easiest traits to phenotype and developing simple

ways of capturing phenotypic data in an automated fashion will

speed up the development of novel breeding approaches, first

through MAB and then GS.

A particular focus of current research was to uncover and map molecular markers linked to key fruit quality

traits such as firmness, sugar levels and shape in cultivated strawberry using QTL mapping. An octoploid

strawberry mapping population (‘Redgauntlet’ × ‘Hapil’) containing a total of 120 seedlings was used for

phenotyping fruit-related and plant characteristics traits. Statistical phenotypic data analysis (for three

consecutive years) provided new insights and a better understanding in how different traits correlate in

strawberry and which traits are under strong genetic control High-density SNP-based linkage map

(‘Redgauntlet’ × ‘Hapil’) was used for the identification of QTLs associated with phenotyped traits.

2

PO 017: Improving resource use efficiency in bedding plants through alternative irrigation and lighting

Richard Boyle, LEC, Lancaster University

Supervisors: Ian Dodd, Lancaster University, Martin McAinsh, Lancaster University

Industry Representative: Sarah Fairhurst, Arden Lea Nurseries Ltd

Start Date: 01 July 2013 End Date: 30 September 2015

Bedding plant producers are continually faced with the challenge of producing high quality plants of an

appropriate developmental stage within strict production schedules. Altered irrigation frequency or the use

of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) may be used to manipulate crop development, although our knowledge of

the impact of these techniques on plant quality is limited. We have investigated the application of these

techniques individually in the horticulturally important bedding plant species. Pelargonium x hortorum was

used in this study.

To assess the effects of irrigation frequency, plants were grown under different

deficit irrigation frequencies (50% evapotranspiration (ET), either daily or

every 4 days), and water use, stomatal conductance (gs), leaf water potential

(Ψleaf), and plant quality were determined. Decreasing irrigation frequency

had more severe effects on ET, gs and Ψleaf, but increased canopy

compactness without reducing foliage quality. Short term increases in water

use efficiency (WUE) were observed by decreasing irrigation frequency,

although this may be less important in an ornamental species than the

reduced water use and increased ornamental quality. This study therefore has

important implications for commercial irrigation scheduling.

To assess the effects of light, plants grown under sole LEDs (different proportions of blue (B) and red (R)

light), and gs, leaf pigment composition and morphology were determined. Plants grown under 66%B LEDs

had the highest rate of gs, as well as high ornamental compactness, high leaf anthocyanin and chlorophyll

content, and thus were ornamentally valuable. Plants grown under 100%B were stunted developmentally

(reduced leaf number), had the largest plant volume due to elongate peduncles, and a low leaf anthocyanin

content, suggesting reduced ornamental value. These results suggest that the optimal LED ratio for broad

range bedding plant production is a combination of B and R, although this requires further research to

determine species specific responses.

3

CP 103: The Application of Precision Agronomy to UK Production of Narcissus

James Syrett, University of Warwick

Supervisors: Rob Lillywhite, University of Warwick Rosemary Collier, University of Warwick

Industry Representative: Mark Vandervleit, New Generation Daffodils

Start Date: 01 October 2013 End Date: 30 September 2016

The UK is the world’s biggest producer of daffodils, both for cut flowers and for ornamental bulbs. However,

production methods have evolved little in the last 20 to 30 years and have not benefitted from the high-

technology and precision approaches now typically used in other arable sectors, or even other ornamental

bulb crops overseas. This aim of this project is to identify and examine those precision farming techniques

and tools for the benefit of UK growers

This project is examining the influence of different treatments; including bulb spacing, planting depth and

bulb orientation (on both flower and bulb yield), and quality. Field trials were established in autumn 2014 at

four locations and using multiple varieties. The locations are Wellesbourne in Warwickshire, Cornwall,

Lincolnshire and Aberdeenshire. The field trials are designed to provide data and to demonstrate which

novel practices and technologies will be of financial benefit to the growers.

The field trials will supply data over two years. Results from year one are as follows:

No clear or statistically significant response to planting depth, density or bulb orientation has been

observed. This may be due to the large variation within treatments which may be hiding statistical

results.

No response to fertiliser placement was observed. This is not unsurprising, given that bulbs rely

mainly on their internal reserves in the first flowering season.

No effect of irrigation was observed, since this was conducted after the first flowering period. The

effect on second year flowers and bulb yield is expected to be of more interest.

Protection of the crop with polythene in autumn or fleece in spring did not affect flowering time in

the first year.

Current plans are to establish a further field experiment to establish whether bulbs sorted optically by type

produce more uniform flower yields. This may aid growers in maximising land use efficiency and provide a

means to reduce variation for future agronomic experiments.

5

PRESENTATIONS

INNOVATIONS IN PEST & DISEASE CONTROL

Abstracts


7

CP 092: The role of naturally occurring entomopathogenic fungi in

the aphid population crash in field brassica crops

Liam Harvey, University of Warwick

Supervisors: Dave Chandler, University of Warwick Rosemary Collier, University of Warwick

Industry Representative: Andy Richardson, A.B. Agronomy Ltd

Start Date: 01 February 2013 End Date: 01 April 2016

Growers of field vegetable crops are under increasing

pressure to reduce their reliance on synthetic chemical

pesticides and increase their use of alternative pest

management tools, including biological control agents.

In this project, experiments have been conducted to

investigate insect pathogenic fungi as control agents of

the cabbage aphid on horticultural brassicas. These

fungi contribute to the natural regulation of aphid

populations, but they can also be mass produced and

applied to crops by growers as “biopesticides”.

Field experiments were carried out over two seasons to investigate the association between the population

dynamics of cabbage aphids, insect pathogenic fungi, and other natural enemies. This has been backed

up by laboratory experiments on one particular fungus, Pandora neoaphidis, which causes natural

epizootics in cabbage aphid populations, and which has not been studied against this pest in detail before.

Research has focused in particular on developing laboratory methods for characterising fungal virulence,

and on the effect of temperature on fungal infectivity as a key environmental variable affecting Pandora

outbreaks. Finally, the susceptibility of cabbage aphid to infection by commercially available fungal

biopesticides has been compared against aphid susceptibility to Pandora.

8

CP 091: Biology of the Cabbage whitefly (Aleyrodes proletella)

Spencer Collins, University of Warwick

Supervisor: Rosemary Collier, University of Warwick

Industry Representative: Andy Blair, T H Clements

Start Date: 01 October 2012 End Date: 01 October 2015 Historically the cabbage whitefly (Aleyrodes proletella) has been a minor pest of brassica crops, but recently

it has become an increasing pest in Europe particularly of Brussels sprout and kale. Knowledge about the

biology of the cabbage whitefly is limited and much of what is currently understood about its ecology has

been inferred from anecdotal evidence. The overall aim of this project is to understand population trends of

the cabbage whitefly in the most vulnerable crops, Brussels sprout and kale. This includes understanding

the key times of population increase and colonisation of new crops.

Dispersal studies have shown that short range ‘trivial dispersal’ is likely to result in the first colonisation of

crops in early spring, indicating the role nearby ‘reservoirs’ of overwintering females (i.e. overwintered

brassicas) have in determining the early rates of immigration onto new brassica crops. In contrast it seems

that long-range migration occurs in autumn by females that have entered reproductive diapause;

Rothamsted Insect Survey suction

trap samples are currently being

assessed to test this hypothesis.

Very few natural predators have

been witnessed in field conditions

however high levels of mortality

were caused by a fungal pathogen

that has been successfully isolated

from the field. Information gained

from this project will aid in

developing an IPM strategy to

manage cabbage whitefly on

vulnerable crops.

9

CURRENT STUDENTSHIP PROJECTS

Abstracts


11

CP 079: Understanding the underlying mechanisms and the role that

pre-harvest horticultural maturity, agronomic factors and growing

conditions have on postharvest discolouration in celery

Simone Rossi, Cranfield University

Supervisor: Leon A. Terry, Cranfield University Andrew J. Thompson, Cranfield University



Celery (Apium graveolens L.) is a foliage crop which is commonly consumed for its long and thick petioles.

Colour is a key quality parameter used by consumers to determine stalk visual quality. Postharvest

browning, which manifests as black/brown stains at the cut ends, is a physiological “disorder” that occurs

during storage. It is believed to be due to the activity of polyphenol-oxidases (PPOs) on phenolic

compounds to produce brown pigments. It represents a serious economic problem for the growers and the

fresh produce industry as customers tend to reject affected petioles. For this reason, the effect of crop

maturity and ethylene treatment on postharvest browning of cut ends was investigated.

The experiment was conducted in Spain (Murcia) and replicated across two growing seasons. In each trial,

celery cv. Monterey plants were harvested every week in order to obtain immature, mature and over-mature

plants. Subjective and objective colour analyses were performed at regular time intervals during storage at

cut petiole and butt ends of samples. Cut-browning increased with storage time and crop maturity, with the

blackening/darkening developing sharply in the first 6 days of storage. On the other hand, continuous

ethylene supplementation did not significantly influence browning.

In summary, these results indicate that crop maturity impacts on postharvest discolouration of celery, whilst

the mechanism of browning does not seem to be promoted by exogenous ethylene.

12

CP 093: Field Vegetables: On-line measurement of selected soil

properties towards the refinement of fertilisation management

Gabriel-Catalin Comanescu, Cranfield University

Supervisor: Abdul Mounem Mouazen, Cranfield University

Industry Representative: Mark Bowyer, Produce World


Conventional fertiliser recommendations are based on soil sampling and laboratory analysis of soil

properties. This procedure is expensive, time consuming and based only on few scattered readings,

ignoring within field variability of soil properties. There is a need for fast, cost effective methods of describing

within field soil variability. This can be achieved with on-line soil sensors. Visible (vis) and near infrared

(NIR) spectroscopy is being increasingly considered as a possible alternative to complement or replace

conventional laboratory methods of soil analysis. This project will implement vis-NIR spectroscopy for on-

line measurement of selected soil properties in farms producing vegetables, aiming at improving fertiliser

recommendations by relaying a much larger number of soil measurements than traditional laboratory

methods. Such measurements will then be used to apply fertiliser or management practices on a variable

rate basis leading to cost savings and reduced environmental impacts (soil and ground water contamination

through nutrient loss and leaching).

The expected impact of this project is a substantial improvement in the analysis of soil properties by

sensing, their validation and related data processing, compared to current standard methods, which are

time consuming and expensive (up to £8/ha). The studentship will develop and validate these tools for a

range of vegetable soils to tailor their application to field vegetable crop production. This will enable

improved timing, cost and precision of soil measurement. We expect an increased acquisition rate of the

relevant soil properties (~1500point p/ha) and significant progress in data quality that will enable

improvements in soil management practices for vegetable crop production in the UK.

It is hoped that the research studentship will lead to increase profitability to growers working in the vegetable

crop production sector by facilitating variable rate inputs, reducing input costs and potentially increasing

yield. For example a nitrogen responsive crop like main crop cauliflower can cost £370p/ha in fertiliser;

(Source: Emma Garrod, personal communication). For AHDB this also has the potential to benefit other

field crops grown in soil, such as potatoes. Assuming a successful outcome the implementation of this

approach will require further development towards commercialisation of the sensor and associated

processing, but it is estimated that the cost of on-line soil testing will be lower than current practice due to

integration with existing farm machinery passes (tractor mounted). This will also deliver and significant

labour and time saving (sample processing). Soil analyses currently take up to 7 days, whereas this system

will generate immediate results. The system should also deliver cost savings by potentially reducing the

amount of fertiliser applied. Specific figures (cost _ benefit analysis) will be generated during the project.

13

CP 104: Novel approaches for the management of leaf and bud nematodes in hardy nursery stock

Idowu Rotifa, Scotland's Rural College (SRUC)

Supervisor: Andy Evans, Scotland's Rural College (SRUC)

Industry Representative: Nick Reese, Jackdaws Field Nursery


Foliar nematodes, Aphelenchoides spp., also called leaf and bud nematodes (LBN), cause serious damage

to many ornamental plants and are a significant foliar pest of hardy nursery stock plants (over 700 host

species) whose feeding results in angular-shaped blotches on the leaves which are delineated by the veins

and often accompanied by leaf distortion. In the UK, Aphelenchoides ritzemabosi and A. fragariae are the

two main foliar nematode species of economic importance.

This research project aims to target stages of the routes of nematode invasion into plants, investigate the

efficacy of some potential plant protection products and characterise the defence mechanisms induced by

elicitors against nematodes.

Promising and potential biological and chemical products determined from laboratory bioassays will be

used either as a contact or systemic intervention on plants to prevent nematode infection. This will be

evaluated as soil and foliar treatments to assess efficacy.

In addition, the results from on-going tests of ‘elicitors’ will be incorporated as part of the integrated pest

management approaches on foliar nematode control.

Studies are being carried out in the laboratory, glasshouse and, thereafter, at growers’ nurseries; and this

project, guided by advice from UK industry, will focus on Japanese anemone, Hosta and Weigela plants.

The overall aim of this study will be to develop new guidelines for the integrated management of foliar

nematodes in hardy nursery stock utilising existing and novel methods.

14

CP 105: Integrated protection of horticultural crops through

enhancing their endogenous defence mechanisms

Daniel De Vega Perez, The James Hutton Institute/Dundee Uni

Supervisor: Adrian Newton,The James Hutton Institute Nicola Holden, The James Hutton Institute Ingo Hein,The James Hutton Institute

Industry Representative: Neal Ward, Cantelo Nurseries Ltd

Start Date: 01 September 2013 End Date: 01 September 2016

Horticultural crop plants have defence mechanisms that can prevent disease if triggered at the right time

and in the right amount, reducing the need for application of conventional crop protection chemicals. Non-

specific inducing agents, called resistance elicitors (RE) can mimic pathogen-induced defence mechanisms

in the plant, resulting in a broad-spectrum and more rapid resistance (Induced Resistance), but their

effective application requires understanding of their associated gene expression and mode of action in the

plant and the agronomy of the crop. My PhD project aims to determine the mode of action of specific RE,

and their interaction, using Botrytis cinerea, the fungal pathogen causative agent of the devastating grey

mould disease, in tomato, as both a practical crop and model pathosystem.

The main project objectives are:

To investigate the molecular basis to the plant defence response elicited by the treatment regime

and to characterise the molecular response of the induced plant to the pathogen infection.

To test the ‘fitness cost’ of induced resistance in plant development, and to evaluate the role of the

RE in the expression of the defence hormonal pathways of jasmonate (JA), salicylate (SA) and

abscisic acid (ABA).

To date, I have found that three elicitors

MeJA, Chitosan and BABA can

significantly reduce fungal lesion

expansion in two tomato varieties

(Money-maker and Motelle) and MeJA

is able induce JA-dependent defences

through gene expression. In addition,

MeJA and Chitosan can induce “early

defences” in tomato, such as H2O2

production on the infection site and

callose deposition before and after

pathogen challenge, which will

ultimately delay pathogen penetration

into epidermial cells, leaving the plant more time to trigger its fine tuned defences (hormone pathways).

This project will establish the principles and potential for using RE in robust integrated crop protection

strategies to benefit growers and stakeholders.

15

CP 106: Pre-colonisation of strawberry runners and tray plants with

arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi to manage Verticillium wilt

Benjamin Langendorf, East Malling Research

Supervisor: Xiangming Xu, East Malling Research Angela Hodge, University of York Peter Young, University of York



Control of soil-borne pathogens is a major problem in several horticultural

crops since the withdrawal of several effective broad-spectrum chemical

fumigants. Pre-colonisation of plants with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi

(AMF) before trans-planting has been proposed as a method for protecting

crops against biotic stresses. Strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa) is an ideal

production system to study such control methods as planting materials

(micro-propagated or runners derived plug plants) can be easily pre-

inoculated with AMF. We investigated (1) whether AMF could colonise

strawberry under high moisture during the weaning process, and (2)

whether AMF pre-colonised plants could reduce Verticillium dahliae

incidence.

Strawberry plants of different popular cultivars susceptible to Verticillium (‘Elsanta’, ‘Malling Centenary’,

‘Red glory’, ‘Vibrant’) and one new cultivar (EM-1996) were inoculated with each of the following AMF

species: Funneliformis mosseae, F. geosporum, Glomus microagregatum, Rhizophagus irregularis,

Claroideoglomus claroideum. Controls were un-inoculated. The growth substrates used were peat/perlite

mix, vermiculite or attapulgite clay. Several published studies have suggested that certain types of peat

and compost had a negative effect on AMF symbiosis and that AMF colonisation may be limited under

prolonged periods of damp conditions. Four experiments were undertaken in growth chambers or

glasshouses at East Malling Research, UK.

In all experiments, AMF colonisation was high (65-94%) in both types

of strawberry planting material after 6-8 weeks. Non-specific

associations were observed among the strawberry cultivars and AMF

species tested. Colonisation by AMF did not however, result in a

significant improvement in growth of runner tips derived plants. In

contrast, AMF inoculation significantly reduced overall total fresh

weight but increased crown diameter of in-vitro derived plantlets.

These results show that AMF can colonise strawberry plants under a prolonged period of damp conditions

in soil-less substrates. Further studies will be conducted to assess whether AMF pre-inoculated strawberry

plug plants could reduce Verticillium incidence.

16

CP 114: Investigating the structure, function and potential restoration of ecological networks in apple orchards (BBSRC CASE Studentship)

Samantha Ardin, University of Bristol

Supervisors: Jane Memmott, University of Bristol Steve Gregory, University of Bristol

Start Date: 01 October 2013 End Date: 01 July 2017

Pollination and natural pest control fortify our food supply by contributing significantly to the productivity of

agro-ecosystems, but the ecological networks from which they stem are being rapidly degraded. Promoting

these natural services through targeted ecosystem restoration offers a way to unite the valuable, but

seemingly disparate, aims of agricultural intensification and biodiversity preservation. The networks of

species underpinning different ecosystem services interact in complex ways, and it is imperative that we

gain a greater mechanistic understanding of these interactions if we are to successfully promote sustainable

ecosystem service provision through restoration.

My project aims to combine the collection of detailed ecological networks for commercial and restored apple

orchards with the development of new analytical techniques. In doing so, we hope to understand how apple

orchards can be managed in order to bolster the naturally occurring services of pollination and pest control.

17

CP 115: Integrated Pest Management of root pests in field vegetables:

impact of soil management on cabbage root fly success and its natural

regulation (TEAGASC Walsh Fellowship Award)

Celine Delabre, SRUC/University of Edinburgh

Supervisors: Bryan Griffiths, Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) Andy Evans, Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) Michael Gaffney, TEAGASC


With changing EU legislation and consumer pressure leading to a reduction in pesticides use, new

sustainable strategies are urgently needed to control damaging field vegetable pests. Natural regulation of

pests is supposedly at the heart of Integrated Pest Management (Stern et al. 1959) however the contribution

of naturally occurring pathogens might be overlooked (Steinkraus, 2007). Soil can act as a reservoir for

numerous pest antagonists (Klingen and Haukeland, 2006) as well as beneficial organisms strengthening

the plant defences. Soil management can play a key part in enhancing pest suppression (Altieri et al. 2005)

both in weakening the pest population (top down control) and allowing crops to fight back (bottom up

control).

Our aim is to assess soil management impacts on natural regulation of Delia radicum and identify practices

that could help enhance pest suppression by natural occurring antagonists. We are comparing conventional

and organic practices on two different long term rotations, in Kinsealy (RoI) and Nafferton Farm (Newcastle,

UK). Preliminary results from Kinsealy confirm that local soil management impacts the microbial community

as well as pest abundance and success. Soil fertility treatment (combined with weather) as well as previous

crop effect are the two main candidates to explain the significant impact on the pest. We are currently in

the process of collecting and analysing our second growing season data, which will enable us to refine our

hypotheses. Soil baiting with Galleria mellonella revealed the presence of entomopathogenic fungi and

nematodes (identification underway) in field soils.

Controlled experiments in greenhouse settings will

help us measure the survival and success of Delia

radicum in the different organic and conventional field

soils and determine if some practices can actually

enhance the pest suppression. If time allows, work

will also include the effect of both predatory and

parasitic species of Delia radicum in field settings.

18

CP 117: Investigating the cause and potential treatment of coriander

yield decline

Kate Louise Fraser, Newcastle University

Supervisors: Ian Singleton, Newcastle University Anne Borland, Newcastle University

Industry Representatives: Tom Davies, Malvern Herbs Rob Gibbs, Scot Herbs Hugh Bullock, Herbfresh


Coriander is in high demand due to its dual use as a medicinal ingredient and as a herb. It is grown

throughout the UK and accounts for the majority of sales of herbs in the country. In fact, in 2014 it was

estimated that over 30million packets and bunches of coriander had been sold in the UK. Unfortunately

coriander suffers from severe yield decline with declines of over 50% reported by growers. The cause of

decline thought to have a soil microbiological basis, however, very little is currently known about the effects

of coriander on soil microbial populations. Therefore, the initial aims of this work were to: establish if the

coriander rhizosphere (the region of soil closely associated with the plant roots) has an increased microbial

population; determine if rhizosphere populations change over time; and to look at changes in soil microbial

populations associated with plants that exhibited yield decline symptoms. To do this, soil microbes were

isolated onto selective media before resulting viable colonies were counted. Results showed that in

coriander rhizosphere soil samples, viable counts of both fungi and bacteria were significantly higher.

However, this rhizosphere effect appears to decrease with plant age and decreasing chlorophyll content.

Interestingly, in plants showing significant yield decline (in above ground biomass) this rhizosphere effect

was sustained. For example in previously planted soils the rhizosphere bacterial and fungal counts were

~1.6x106 and ~1.3x104 colony forming units/g soil, respectively; whilst in similarly aged control plants

rhizosphere microbial populations were at least 90% lower. Overall, results suggest coriander has a

significant effect on soil microbial populations. Future studies should focus on attempting to understand

these effects and to examine potential methods, e.g. ploughing in, to control yield decline.

19

CP 118: Cucurbit pollination: mechanisms and management to

optimise field quality and quantity

Jessica Knapp, University of Exeter

Supervisor: Juliet Osborne, University of Exeter

Industry Representative: Ellis Luckhurst, P.E. Simmons and Son

Start Date: 01 January 2015 End Date: 31 December 2017

Cucurbits (or gourds) are a large plant family which include major food

plants such as Cucurbita (squash, pumpkin, courgette), Cucumis

(cucumber, melon), and Citrullus (watermelon). Over centuries

cucurbits have been domesticated for their fleshy fruits, roots, leaves,

shoots, seeds, and flowers for food and commodity goods and are

consequently of great economic importance.

As most cucurbits are dependent on pollinators to set fruit, it is hoped that

improved pollination will result in a greater quantity and quality of fruit. In

collaboration with local growers’ P.E. Simmons and Son (based in

Cornwall) we will use field grown courgettes to investigate the pollination

dynamics of cucurbit crops.

Our first field season will determine which species are best at pollinating

courgettes by measuring their abundance (using visitation rates and field

surveys) and effectiveness (by quantifying the amount of pollen carried

on their bodies, deposited on stigmas and the number of visits needed to

set fruit).

Future work will look at ways of increasing pollinators in the landscape

and measuring their effect on yield. We would also like to explore

sustainable farming practices which combine improved pollination, pest

management and soil quality.

20

CP 121: Towards precision inputs through improved understanding

of the underlying causes of in-field variation in lettuce crop maturity

and yield

Yara Boubou, Harper Adams University

Supervisors: Jim Monaghan, Harper Adams University Ivan Grove, Harper Adams University

Industry Representative: Ed Moorhouse, G’s Growers

Start Date: 07 April 2014 End Date: 07 April 2017

This project aims to improve uniformity in lettuce marketable head

weight through understanding soil heterogeneity and its influence on

yield variation in spatial and temporal aspects. Variability in the growth

of lettuce transplants leads to variation in head weight and maturity at

harvest and sometimes post-harvest quality. This causes a significant

issue in field-grown lettuce where growers wish to harvest heads of a

uniform size and weight. It is known that heterogeneity of soil

nutrients and water holding properties can affect relative plant growth.

Soil apparent electrical conductivity (ECa) scans were used in two

experiments at a commercial site in Cambridgeshire, 2014, to identify

the range and locations of soil variation and to identify locations for

intensive soil sampling. A third experiment in June 2015 sampled soil

and plants systematically by across 63 locations on 20x25 m grid. Soil

and plant parameters were measured and mapped.

Data analysis so far, using both Geographic Information Systems

(GIS) and descriptive statistics has identified three distinctive soil

zones with significant difference in yield within the same field guided

by the ECa scans. The lowest ECa zone had the lowest yield. The

proportion of sand and organic matter in the soil also corresponded

with the ECa bands from the lowest to the highest, suggesting a role

for soil texture in crop yield. A subsequent glasshouse experiment is

testing the impact of the proportion of sand on the early growth of

lettuce under varying water inputs.

Clear differences in soil moisture, fresh weight, dry weight, soil penetration resistance and bulk density

were also detected from the 2015 field data. More detailed analysis of the data is to utilise principal

component analysis and GIS to relate crop performance with a defined number of soil factors.

21

CP 122: The identification of viral pathogens suitable for the control

of Drosophila suzukii in the UK.

Nathan Medd, University of Edinburgh

Supervisors: Darren Obbard, University of Edinburgh Jerry Cross, East Malling Research Tom Little, University of Edinburgh


Drosophila suzukii is a highly destructive pest of soft skinned fruit, currently

causing substantial crop losses in Europe and the USA. Since detection in Spain

(2008), this invasive pest has spread northward and now threatens fruit production

in the UK (reported 2012). Effective control is challenging: short generation time

and high fecundity lead to rapid population growth and because eggs are laid close

to harvest, chemical control options are limited. Although pesticides and large-scale trapping have been

proposed, both have drawbacks and a sustainable integrated pest management (IPM) solution is therefore

required. This project aims to identify, isolate, and characterise viruses suitable for control of D. suzukii.

Viruses potentially represent an environmentally benign control agent with high host specificity and low

environmental persistence, making them eminently suitable for inclusion into existing IPM programs.

Because D. suzukii is closely related to the laboratory model D.

melanogaster, this work will capitalise on our knowledge of

Melanogaster genetics, immunity, and parasitology.

This project uses a metagenomic approach to characterise viral

diversity in D. suzukii and to identify potential viral control agents.

Total RNA extracted from large pooled samples of wild-caught

flies (>800) have been sequenced using the Illumina HiSeq platform. This approach has simultaneously

identified other commensal and pathogenic micro-organisms (bacteria, fungi, nematodes and single-celled

eukaryotes) that will be of value to other groups researching D. suzukii, and the Drosophila-associated

microbiota more generally. Wild-caught D. suzukii that test positive by PCR for viral sequences identified

by the above metagenomic process are macerated in isotonic buffer then serially passaged through D.

suzukii, and mortality recorded as a marker of potential infection. When high-mortality extracts are

identified, larger numbers of flies will be infected and viral particles isolated by gradient centrifugation.

Particles will then be examined morphologically via EM, and purified RNA/DNA will be sequenced to obtain

complete viral genomes. To maximise the chances of viral detection, extracts will be passaged in parallel

through immune-deficient D. melanogaster (null mutants for Dcr2) which are hyper-susceptible to viral

infection and maintain higher viral loads. Characterisation of any isolated viruses will follow.

22

CP 131: Sources of Innovation in the Fresh Produce Industry

(AHDB Horticulture and Potatoes Studentship)

Jonathan Menary, University of Warwick

Supervisors: Rosemary Collier, University of Warwick Kate Seers, University of Warwick

Start Date: 01 May 2014 End Date: 01 May 2017

There is evidence to suggest that UK agricultural productivity has slowed relative to some of its competitors.

In response to this, some have suggested that the ‘translation’ of basic research into impactful innovations

must be enhanced. However, the UK horticultural sector has remained notably productive; the aims of this

project are to identify the sources of innovation in the UK fresh produce industry, and build up a picture of

how knowledge is spread through the UK Agricultural Knowledge and Innovation System (AKIS).

By using a systems approach, we will be able

to assess the relationships between key

actors in the system and determine the ways

in which communication and translation of

research can be improved to bolster

innovation. Qualitative data – from interviews

with industry experts and published literature

– and quantitative data – from surveys and

horticultural statistics – will be used to profile

the UK AKIS.

23

FV 420: Intervention study to determine the effect of consumption of

carrots and other polyacetylene-rich vegetables on the effect on

biomarkers of chronic disease risk

Sarah Warner, Newcastle University

Supervisors: Kirsten Brandt, Newcastle University Chris Seal, Newcastle University Sumanto Haldar, Singapore Inst. for Clinical Sciences

Industry Representative: Martin Evans, FreshGro

Start Date: 11 November 2013 End Date: 10 November 2016

Observational studies have found that increasing carrot consumption can lead to a decreased risk of

cancer. Results from cellular studies suggests the polyacetylene (PA) class of bioactive compounds, found

mostly in carrots, parsnips, and celery, have anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory actions.

I have analysed data from the 85+ studies to determine how much PA-rich vegetable each person

consumed from single and mixed foods. I am also analysing the PA content in common foods to give a

more accurate overview of total PA in the diet. This data will be used along with data on inflammatory

markers and cancer for each study participant to investigate if there is an association between how much

PA-rich vegetable they consumed and the risk of inflammation or cancer.

I have also done a cooking experiment to investigate

which methods best preserve the PA content in the

vegetables. However, we realised that previous studies

had used different methods of calculating change in plant

chemicals during cooking – giving different results! So now

I am working on a systematic review of these methods to

ensure that I select the most correct method for my

research.

I will conduct a bioavailability study to measure the contents of polyacetylenes in human bio-fluids (blood,

urine and stool) after consuming polyacetylene-containing vegetables. A method to determine plasma

concentrations of PA is currently under development and the ethics application for this study has been

submitted for review.

Based on the results of these initial activities I will design a

human intervention trial to carry out during the third year of

the PhD programme.

The results of this research will allow us to assess the health

benefits of carrots and their compounds, allowing the

promotion of carrots for health to the public.

24

FV 422: Improved management of light leaf spot in brassicas by

exploiting resistance and understanding pathogen variation

Coretta Kloeppel, University of Hertfordshire

Supervisor: Bruce DL Fitt, University of Hertfordshire

Industry Representative: Simon Jackson, Allium & Brassica Centre


Light leaf spot, caused by the fungal pathogen Pyrenopeziza brassicae, is currently the major disease

problem in oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) production in the UK. The disease also plays a role in vegetable

brassicas (Brassica oleracea) with the biggest concern in Brussels sprouts production. Effective control of

light leaf spot to reduce yield and economic losses is difficult to achieve. Fungicide control of the disease

in crops is challenging since fungicides must be applied when the pathogen is growing asymptomatically in

plant tissues (Figueroa et al. 1994) but also decreased sensitivity to azole fungicides has been reported

(Carter et al. 2013). Furthermore, resistance of recommended list oilseed rape cultivars is unsatisfying

(AHDB recommended list, http://cereals.ahdb.org.uk/varieties/ahdb-recommended-lists/winter-oilseed-

rape-2015-16.aspx) and the status in vegetable brassicas, Brussels sprouts in particular, is difficult to judge

as there is no such standardised list with disease resistance scores for vegetable brassica cultivars

available.

In order to minimize losses for the oilseed rape and

vegetable brassica industries caused by light leaf spot,

the project focusses on understanding the pathogen

population structure and interactions with host species.

It was unclear if the same strains of P. brassicae are

able to infect both, oilseed rape and vegetable

brassicas. Cross-infection experiments have shown

that oilseed rape can be infected by conidial spores

originated from infected material of Brussels sprouts

and Brussels sprouts is also susceptible to conidial

spores gained from oilseed rape. Similar results have been found for cabbage, broccoli and Romanesco

infected with oilseed rape and Brussels sprouts spore suspension. Therefore, it can be concluded that

cross-infections between oilseed rape and vegetable brassicas are possible but there may still be isolates

present in the population that can only infect one or the other. This needs to be confirmed in planta using

single conidium isolates.

http://cereals.ahdb.org.uk/varieties/ahdb-recommended-lists/winter-oilseed-rape-2015-16.aspx

http://cereals.ahdb.org.uk/varieties/ahdb-recommended-lists/winter-oilseed-rape-2015-16.aspx

25

FV 432: Understanding the ecology and epidemiology of Pythium violae

to enable disease management.

Kathryn Hales, University of Warwick

Supervisor: John Clarkson, University of Warwick Gary Bending, University of Warwick Tim Pettit, University of Worcester

Industry Representative: Keith Mawer, Strawsons


Cavity spot is a major disease of carrot primarily caused by the soil-borne oomycete pathogen Pythium

violae. Disease management is challenging as efficacy of fungicides is variable and long rotations are not

always possible. P.violae research has been hampered by the lack of effective research tools such as

procedures for detection/quantification of the pathogen in soil and artificial inoculation which results in

consistent infection and symptoms. Moreover, there are still fundamental gaps in our knowledge concerning

the epidemiology of P.violae and how it interacts with its environment and hosts. This PhD project will

address some of these issues and aims to understand the potential role of soil microbial communities in

cavity spot disease development/suppression.

To determine the range of Pythium spp. associated with cavity spot, a collection of approx. 80 isolates has

been assembled from diseased carrots collected from growers. Following DNA extraction and sequencing,

64% were identified as P. violae with 17% and 9% being P. sulcatum and P. intermedium respectively. The

remainder comprised other Pythium species. These isolates will be characterised further to determine

levels of variation within species.

Although a PCR test was developed previously to detect P. violae in soil, only small samples (0.25g) could

be used. To enable the use of larger and more representative samples, a sucrose flotation and filtration

method has been developed to capture oospores from 10g soil. When combined with the PCR test, initial

results suggest detection of less than 10 oospores is possible. This methodology will now be developed

further to enable accurate quantification of P. violae and allow monitoring of pathogen dynamics in soil/on

roots.

A method of inoculum production for P. violae has also been developed and current experiments are

investigating the effect of oospore numbers on carrot seedling mortality and cavity spot symptoms on more

mature plants.

26

FV 433: Watercress: Effect of regular consumption during

radiotherapy treatment for early stage breast cancer

Natasa Giallourou, University of Reading

Supervisor: Jonathan Swann, University of Reading

Industry Representative: Steve Rothwell, Vitacress Ltd


Watercress (Nasturtium officinale) is a perennial herb grown as a salad crop in

waterways, or in greenhouse hydroponic cultures. It is a particularly rich source of

phytochemicals such as glucosinolates, carotenoids, vitamins and minerals.

Watercress components have been shown to possess anti-genotoxic and anti-

carcinogenic properties which result in attenuated DNA damage in lymphocytes and

inhibited cell proliferation and metastasis in cancer cells.

Breast cancer patients referred to radiotherapy will consume watercress as a part of their normal diet and

its effect on disease outcomes will be evaluated. Metabonomics analysis will be employed to obtain holistic

information on the biochemical status of breast cancer patients and explore the ability of watercress to

improve the toxic effects of radiotherapy towards a healthy phenotype. DNA damage parameters will also

be assessed.

The volunteers in the human intervention trial will be using different preparation methods for watercress,

which could have an impact on the levels of the beneficial phytochemicals. Watercress has been processed

with different domestic cooking methods. Analytical techniques have been used to quantitate the impact of

processing on the major phytochemical components. Boiling significantly decreases total phenol content,

antioxidant activity, and glucosinolate content; however, it increases the carotenoid concentrations of

watercress compared with that in the raw vegetable. Cooking by microwaving and steaming maintains the

majority of phytochemicals in comparison to the fresh material, suggesting that they should be used as the

preferred method of watercress preparation. Boiling of watercress should be avoided to ensure maximum

ingestion of watercress-derived beneficial phytochemicals.

On the molecular level, an in vitro study is being performed looking at the effects of watercress extracts on

a breast cancer cell line, exposed or not, to a radiation source to mimic the radiotherapy conditions. Results

to date suggest that watercress extract inhibits cancer cell cycle progression and modify the metabolic

phenotype of the cells by inducing anti-carcinogenic changes.

This study will elucidate our understanding of the bio molecular mechanisms of radiotherapy and watercress

in breast cancer and provide information on the effect of processing on watercress bio-actives. Furthermore,

watercress growers can utilise beneficial nutritional claims to increase their revenue, and the work can

enlighten the public and health care professionals of the implications of healthy nutrition in the treatment of

cancer patients.

27

SF 144: Early detection of stress in strawberry plants using

hyperspectral image analysis

Amy Lowe, University of Nottingham/East Malling Research

Supervisor: Andrew French, University of Nottingham Nicola Harrison, East Malling Research

Industry Representative: Marion Regan, Hugh Lowe Farms

Start Date: 01 May 2014 End Date: 30 April 2017

This project aims to detect, identify and indicate stress in strawberry

plants before visible signs appear by using hyperspectral image analysis

techniques. A hyperspectral camera captures contiguous narrow

wavelengths over a range of the spectrum which includes visible and

near-infra wavelengths. Hyperspectral imaging can detect changes in the

leaf pigments and the cell wall by how much light is absorbed or reflected

off the plants. By producing a time series of hyperspectral images from

plants subjected to induced stresses analyses to identify changes in the

wavelengths over time can be undertaken to find ‘signatures’ of stress.

Last year an initial ‘drought’ dataset was collected with eight varieties of

strawberry plants. The drought experiment imaged eight varieties daily for

four consecutive days. A technique called non-negative matrix factorisation was applied to the

hyperspectral data that separates the data into the different plant parts (leaves, stolon, and soil) and

produces the spectral signature for each part and also the amount of material in each pixel. This means

the spectral signatures can now be analysed for changes over time.

This year, hyperspectral data was collected for Powdery Mildew and drought stress in two varieties of

strawberry plants. The experiments took place in a glasshouse and controlled environment cabinets to

control environmental conditions for consistency and they were imaged in the lab. Image analysis

techniques and data mining will be used to find changes in wavelengths over the time period.

The early detection of stress would enable early intervention by the grower to prevent the disease or pest

from damaging the whole crop. In addition, this information can be used to inform crop management

strategies with the aim of reducing the amount of pesticides and/or fertiliser used, a benefit to both the

environment and the grower.

28

PE 023: Hormetic UVC Treatments for Control of Plant Diseases on

Protected Edible Crops

George Scott, Loughborough University

Supervisor: Gilbert Shama, Loughborough University Matt Dickinson, The University of Nottingham

Industry Representatives: Phillip Pearson, APS Salads Nigel Bartle, (previously of) North Bank Growers Ltd James Bean, Crystal Heart Salads

Start Date: 01 September 2014 End Date: 31 August 2017

Hormesis is a dose response phenomenon where low doses of a stress bring about a positive response in

the organism undergoing treatment. The benefits of ultraviolet (UV) hormesis have been known for over 20

years. A broad range of benefits are observed from increased nutritional content to disease resistance and

reduced chilling injury.

To date, the majority of studies have performed post-harvest fruit treatments with conventional low pressure

mercury UVC (short wavelength ultraviolet light) sources. Commercial application of these treatments have

been, in part, prevented due to the lengthy exposure

times necessitated for treatment which can take

several minutes in the case of tomato fruit. Here we

show that the use of a broadband, high intensity

pulsed source rich in UV can induce disease

resistance against B.cinerea on both mature green

and ripe tomatoes. Furthermore, a delay in ripening

on mature green tomatoes was also observed. The

use of a high intensity pulsed source can reduce treatment time by 98-99%.The use of such a source has

the potential for integration into post-harvest production lines to reduce losses through disease. Moreover,

the observed delayed ripening would allow increased storage or transportation times.

Recently, the exposure of foliage to UV has been shown to induce resistance against downy mildew and

grey mould on A. thaliana. The horticultural application of such treatments, however, have not been

explored. We, therefore, aim to research UV induced resistance on both tomato and lettuce crops. In

preliminary work we have observed resistance against B. cinerea through both pulsed and conventional

treatments on tomato and the former on lettuce. Induction of such resistance may provide an alternate to

chemical based pesticides.

29

CURRENT FELLOWSHIP PROJECTS

AHDB Horticulture’s fellowship projects aim to provide essential

underpinning funding to UK-based applied horticultural researchers working

in fields of study crucial to the future efficiency and competitiveness of

horticultural crops grown in Britain. Each fellowship focuses on training the

next generation of applied researcher whilst delivering outputs to industry

through a flexible programme of work. The work is flexible so that it can

respond to the skills of the individuals undergoing training and the needs of

the industry.


31

CP 085: Securing skills and expertise in crop light responses for UK

protected horticulture, with specific reference to exploitation of LED

technology (EMT/AHDB/HTA Fellowship)

Dr Phillip Davis, Stockbridge Technology Centre

Mentors: Martin McPherson, Stockbridge Technology Centre Nigel Paul, Lancaster University


The broad knowledge/skill set that is addressed is that of crop responses to light and their

application/exploitation in UK horticulture. This is an important topic that includes two broad areas; lighting

itself, and the use of “smart plastics” as cladding materials. Both are united by a common understanding

and scientific application in horticulture of how plants respond to light.

Poor light levels can prompt both stretching and flowering in plants. This shade-avoidance response is

induced by low intensities of blue and red light and relatively high intensities of far-red light. In general,

blue and red light causes plants to remain compact, while far-red light causes plants to stretch and flower.

While these general rules can be applied to most plant species, the relative magnitude of the responses

varies considerably. With LED lighting it is possible to carefully manipulate the quality of light that plants

are exposed to and, in doing so, we can examine the diversity and magnitude of plant responses to light.

Herb crops come from an extensive range of habitats and plant lineages, and would be expected to show

a wide range of responses to light. A thorough understanding of light responses within this group would

help to grow better plants and classify plants with regard to their lighting requirements.

A small scale trial in 2014 was aimed at examining the influence of far-red LED on herb plant morphology.

The focus of the work was to make qualitative assessments of the diversity of plant light responses to help

focus more refined future research projects and ensure the correct parameters are measured; and it was

hoped the results would also function as a range-finding exercise for light recipe development.

Far-red light caused an increase in internode length and plant height in most species. The exception to

this was Sage, in which internode lengths were equal for plants grown with and without far-red light. The

greatest response to far-red light was observed in Dill. Dill plants grown with far-red light were three times

taller than those grown without far-red light. The morphology of the far-red grown plants was extremely

stretched and flowering occurred. Dill plants grown without far-red remained extremely compact. Bronze

Fennel plants were next most sensitive to far-red light; stems were 4.7 times longer but the plants did not

flower when grown with far-red light than without far red. The Bronze Fennel plants did not flower during

this experiment. Mint and Thyme showed moderate responses to far-red light, with increases in plant height

or internode length of 1.2–1.8 times those of plants grown without far-red light.

Leaf morphology responses to far-red varied between species. Thyme demonstrated leaf curling and the

mint leaves became curled and blistered in appearance. Sage leaves became narrower but demonstrated

no curling. The leaves of the Dill and Bronze Fennel plants became more feathery in appearance.

The red:far-red ratio of light cannot alone be used to predict plant responses to lights with different spectra.

Additional methods have been developed to assess different aspects of the phytochrome light sensing

properties. However, more experimentation is required to determine how useful these methods will be for

assessing plant light responses.

32

CP 086: Weed control in ornamentals, fruit and vegetable crops -

maintaining capability to devise suitable weed control strategies

(EMT/AHDB/HTA Fellowship)

Angela Huckle, David Talbot, Harriet Roberts and Maria Tzortzi ADAS UK Ltd

Mentors: John Atwood, ADAS UK Ltd Lynn Tatnell, ADAS UK Ltd Sarah Cook, ADAS UK Ltd

Start Date: 01 April 2011 End Date: 31 March 2016

Weed control is a difficult technical challenge for growers of horticultural crops. The limited and complex

horticultural market is unattractive for agrochemical manufacturers and the loss of approval for traditional

horticultural herbicides under recent and impending EC legislation has made the situation more difficult.

There are only two researchers actively working on weed control in horticultural crops in the UK. For

succession it is vital that new recruits are trained in horticultural weed control research to be able to continue

a programme of work of benefit to the horticultural industry in years to come. This Fellowship aims to mentor

the next generation of horticultural consultants in weed control research covering the ornamentals, fruit and

vegetables sectors.

Nursery stock experiments for 2014 were successfully planned and written up and a third container nursery

experiment was brought forward due to industry concerns over the loss of Ronstar 2G and was concluded

in September 2014. A follow up container nursery experiment and a field nursery stock is underway outside

of the fellowship, further developing treatments tested in 2014 into programmes.

Possible species to be grown as living mulches with potential for use within the crop rows of bush and top

fruit were examined for growth parameters and nitrogen balance in pot experiments in 2013. Field sowings

were made in an apple plantation at a commercial top fruit holding in autumn 2013. This work was continued

in 2014 with growth studies, water and nitrogen usage and apple yields and continues into 2015.

Building on contacts with the salad leaf industry, a programme of herbicide trials was undertaken for

improved weed control in salad leaf lettuce and the use of weed reducing green manure treatments. These

trials were based on growers’ holdings and further work on salad crops is under discussion with both

herbicide screening and continued monitoring of the green manure treatments.

At the request of the cut flower industry, an additional project on stocks was included in the fellowship

programme of work for 2013. The liaison with the Cut Flower Centre (CFC) Spalding was successful and

led to a spinoff project on cut flower species in 2014 and proposals for further work outside of the fellowship.

The control of perennial weeds is being covered by several experiments investigating different aspects. An

experiment investigating control of perennial weeds by the allelopathic effects of cover crops started in

2013, and follows a research area initially developed by Lynn Tatnell. This was developed further in 2014

with field trial on a weed infested fallow site prior to planting blackcurrants. Further work on perennial

control included a fallow year herbicide trial completed in 2014 and a literature review on non-chemical

methods for perennial weed control is being undertaken in 2015.

33

CP 087: Working with the industry to develop the next generation of

technical staff for the UK horticulture industry through a Summer

Research Programme (EMT/AHDB/HTA Fellowship)

Various ‘Summer Research Programme’ Students

Mentor: Jim Monaghan, Harper Adams University


Reduction in government funding for applied horticulture research has led to a marked reduction in the pool

of applied researchers available for employment in industry, research and advisory/agronomist roles. In

addition the loss of many relevant crops focussed courses and modules from Universities have led to a

marked shortage of opportunities for undergraduates to be exposed to, and trained in, applied research in

horticulture crop production compared to 10-15 years ago. This limits the number of suitable candidates for

technical roles in industry, research studentships, technical roles in universities or institutes, or agronomy

and extension businesses.

Harper Adams University (HAU) have launched a Summer Research Programme (SRP) led by Jim

Monaghan, which will recruit a number of UK undergraduate students (and potentially seconded industry

employees) each year to carry out applied agronomy/crop production research projects within the Fresh

Produce Research Centre and be supported by other research staff associated with the centre.

In the fourth year of the Summer Research Programme (SRP), Four UK undergraduates were selected

from Lancaster, Bristol, Cambridge and Oxford Universities. The students undertook four separate

research projects at HAU linked to key commercial industry operators and also worked together on a

number of on-going crop research experiments at HAU. Each student prepared and gave a presentation

of their research to the representatives from AHDB, and the students also made a number of visits to

businesses including strawberry, leafy salad, field vegetable, protected salad and ornamental producers.

Experiments in year 4 included:

Effect of vine weevil on strawberry yields in first and second year crops – a study of the impact of

substrate infested with vine weevil larvae on the yield and postharvest quality of fruit of table-top 60 day

strawberry plants and the effect of two control strategies on overwintering vine weevil.

The effect of variety and irrigation on splitting in radishes - three cultivars of radish were grown

under a dry or wet regime and the effect of irrigation regimes on growth and splitting at harvest were

studied.

Can drought stress change the flavour of Cos lettuce? - Cos lettuce was grown in pots with three

irrigation regimes: well watered (Co), deficit irrigation (DI) and partial rootzone drying (PRD). The growth

and yield of the plants was measured and the flavour of heads of the PRD and Co treatments was then

assessed using a taste panel at HAU.

Stress priming kale – does it lead to more resilient plants? - Kale plants were salt stressed at the

seedling/module stage before transplanting into large tubs and growing on. The effect of drought and

waterlogging at two timings on plant growth was measured

The Gatsby Summer School for high achieving Plant Scientists targeted at first year UK undergraduates

(www.gatsbyplants.leeds.ac.uk) has further linked to this programme as an opportunity for applied research

experience and Jim Monaghan was invited to attend the Gatsby Summer School to promote the SRP in

2014.

34

CP 089: Maintaining the expertise for developing and communicating

practical Integrated Pest Management (IPM) solutions for horticulture

(EMT/AHDB/HTA Fellowship)

Gemma Hough and Sacha White, ADAS UK Ltd

Mentor: Jude Bennison, ADAS UK Ltd


As UK growers face increasing pressures to reduce the use of chemical pesticides, the demand for the

development of effective Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programmes is increasing. However, the

development of such programmes requires specialist skills and resources. ADAS delivers applied IPM

research and also communicates new technology to the horticultural industry. However, there are now very

few experienced ADAS Entomologists due to recent retirements. ADAS won the 5-year Horticultural

Fellowship in 2011, with the aim of being to maintain the expertise for developing and communicating

practical IPM solutions for horticulture.

Specific objectives are:

1. To mentor two next generation ADAS applied entomologists

2. To equip the trainees with the specialist skills needed to deliver practical IPM solutions to selected

pest problems through applied research projects

3. To communicate key new IPM knowledge to the industry

In this year’s Fellowship work focussed on key pests: rose thrips and vine weevil.

Knowledge gained during 2013/14 in the Fellowship confirmed that native thrips species were causing

strawberry fruit damage in various commercial crops and geographic locations. The rose thrips, Thrips

fuscipennis, was identified as commonly occurring in large numbers associated with rapidly-occurring fruit

bronzing and malformed fruit, in crops where western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis, had been well

controlled by Neoseiulus cucumeris. The rose thrips, Thrips fuscipennis, was investigated further through

monitoring at a commercial strawberry site; a literature review on current knowledge of T. fuscipennis

biology, overwintering sites and natural enemies; and assessments of the damage by Thrips fuscipennis

(rose thrips) compared with Frankliniella occidentalis (western flowers thrips, WFT)

A potential candidate for supplementing other biological control methods of vine weevil is the predatory

beetle Atheta coriaria. This predator is commercially available for biological control of sciarid and shore

flies in protected crops, where it feeds on both eggs and larval stages. In CRD-funded project PS 2130,

ADAS demonstrated that in the laboratory, both A. coriaria adults and larvae predated young vine weevil

larvae, although they did not feed on the eggs. The predator was investigated further in a semi-field

experiment.

35

CP 090: Succession planning to sustain the UK’s expertise in field and laboratory plant pathology research and development (EMT/AHDB/HTA Fellowship)

Robert Saville, East Malling Research

Mentor: Angela Berrie, East Malling Research


In all horticultural sectors, crop protection is the top industry priority requiring research and development.

Development of sustainable disease management strategies for existing and newly-emerging diseases is

critically important in sustaining economic competitiveness in the production of high quality food and

ornamentals. The need for economic and effective sustainable disease management will continue to

provide challenges as our needs to produce more horticultural outputs, more efficiently whilst sustaining its

quality and reducing its wastage against ever-increasing global population and the potential impacts of

climate change.

As part of the training fellowship, three projects were initially proposed to encompass some of the training

requirements vital for field and laboratory plant pathology research and development. The fellowship

projects were reviewed at the beginning of 2014 to incorporate new objectives. The fellowship projects for

the third year of the fellowship are as follows;

(1) Continuation of the apple rot survey and determination of the causative agents of apple rots to

contribute towards the sustainable control of storage rots of apple.

Fungal rots can result in significant losses in stored apples, particularly in fruit stored beyond January.

Certain pack houses will record losses due to rots for individual bins of fruit, thus relating the loss to

particular orchards, harvest time and pre-harvest factors, however they rarely identify the rots present. It is

important to identify the rot profile in stored apples over time to build a dataset (including orchards, harvest

time and pre-harvest factors) from which to base management strategies. In previous surveys Nectria,

Botrytis, brown rot (Monilinia), Penicillium, Phytophthora and Gloeosporium have been identified as the

main rots in apple. Other rots such as those caused by Colletotrichum sp., Fusarium sp., Botryosphaeria

sp. and Phomopsis sp. have been increasing in incidence. A greater understanding of the epidemiology

and orchard factors contributing to rot development has helped in informing management strategies to

reduce their prevalence.

(2) Utilise a new metagenomic assay in development at EMR to determine the endophytic profile within

commercial strawberry plants for future research on the role of endophytes on plant

tolerance/resistance to pests/diseases in relation to host genotypes and external conditions.

Endophytes are microorganisms (usually fungi or bacteria) which live within the plant without causing

apparent disease. Endophytes are receiving increasing attention internationally as they are recognised as

agents which can enhance resistance to biotic attack, enhance abiotic stress tolerance and increase growth

due to increased solubilisation of minerals and enhanced nitrogen use efficiency. Although the host-

endophyte interaction tends to be mutualistic, other ‘shades’ of endophytism include commensals,

temporary residents, latent pathogens or latent saprophytes.

With the recognition of endophytes as important components to the host, much like the microflora of the

human gut is important to health, it is important to know what the profile of these organisms are and what

influences their survival.

36

CP 095: Sustainable resource use in horticulture: a systems approach

to delivering high quality plants grown in sustainable substrates, with

efficient water use and novel nutrient sources (RHS/AHDB Fellowship)

Dr Gracie Barrett, The Royal Horticultural Society

Mentor: Paul Alexander, The Royal Horticultural Society

Start Date: 01 November 2012 End Date: 01 November 2017

High quality ornamental plant production requires growing media that possess the correct chemical and

physical properties to support healthy plant growth. They must also be affordable, easy to obtain and

adaptable to existing plant production systems. As legislators, retailers and consumers have become more

environmentally aware there is increasing pressure on the industry to adopt more responsibly sourced

growing media. In the UK, this has driven an increase in the use of mixes based on more sustainable

options such as green compost, wood fibre and bark.

The aim of this work was to better understand how best to

combine different proportions of these raw materials to provide

the most effective growing media for hardy nursery stock

growers.

In year 2 a detailed assessment of five commonly used

growing media materials in the production of containerised

hardy nursery stock (HNS) was undertaken.

Fourteen bespoke growing media mixes were produced based

on 5 raw materials; peat, coir, green waste compost, wood

fibre and matured pine bark. These mixes were fully

characterised along with a peat-based industry standard

growing medium. The performance of all the mixes was

compared in a fully randomised and replicated field experiment

using Hebe albicans ‘red edge’ and Viburnum tinus ‘french

white’. While the mixes varied widely in their physical

properties, plants of marketable quality were produced in all

cases. The results indicate that many combinations of

materials have the potential to support high quality plant

growth with little modification to existing nursery practices.

37

CP 113: Maintaining and developing capability in vegetable crop pathology (University of Warwick/AHDB Fellowship);

Andrew Taylor, University of Warwick

Mentor: John Clarkson, University of Warwick

Start Date: 01 November 2013 End Date: 30 October 2018

Currently, 75% of the AHDB Horticulture’s research budget is aimed at crop protection to ensure that

industry has a functional armoury with which to control economically important pests and diseases. The

overall aim of this Fellowship is to train a scientist as a plant pathologist who can carry out research of

benefit to UK horticulture and address the future requirements of the industry with a focus on vegetable

crops. The Fellowship will enable me to develop a full range of plant pathology skills with an emphasis on

molecular approaches, and also to assemble pathogen resources for future projects.

During the first two years of this fellowship, the focus has been on

diseases of onion and carrot. At Warwick Crop Centre we have a large

collection of Fusarium isolates from onion and using molecular

approaches I have demonstrated a strong correlation between

pathogenicity and the presence of specific ‘effector’ genes in a subset

of 32 Fusarium oxysporum isolates. Hence it is possible to distinguish

pathogenic and non-pathogenic Fusarium isolates for the first time and

future work will aim to develop a specific diagnostic test. I have also

begun to collect and characterise new isolates of Sclerotium cepivorum

(white rot), Peronospora destructor (downy mildew) and Botrytis

species. An inoculation system for downy mildew has been tested

which will be used for resistance screening in a DEFRA-funded project.

In carrot, I have been further developing a molecular test to quantify the levels of the main pathogen

responsible for cavity spot, P. violae. This should enable new studies on the

epidemiology and dynamics of this pathogen to be undertaken in AHDB

Horticulture’s studentship project FV 432. The technique could also be used

to assess the efficacy of control methods.

Finally, I have been able to gain experience of several other pathogens

through field visits and work-shadowing of colleagues.

39

NEW STUDENTSHIP PROJECTS

Commencing Autumn 2015


41

CP 140: Optimising the use of biocontrol agents to improve the control

of Botrytis cinerea in key vegetable and fruit crops

Supervisors: Xiangming Xu, East Malling Research

Roy Kennedy, University of Worcester


With the reducing number of fungicides available to manage diseases, there is even more

pressure to identify effective alternatives for integrated disease management. Only a few products

based on microbial biocontrol agents (BCA) have been registered in the UK to control fungal

diseases, primarily Botrytis cinerea. These BCAs have been usually applied as if they were

fungicides and their efficacy is often variable. Recent theoretical modelling suggested that

understanding BCA population dynamics in relation to climatic conditions is critical for their

deployment to control foliar pathogens. However, this aspect of biocontrol research has so far

been neglected.

This project aims to obtain ecological knowledge on BCAs that are currently registered and being

registered in the UK and then use the knowledge to develop and evaluate strategies of applying

BCAs to improve efficacy against Botrytis development on strawberry and lettuce. Specifically,

we shall (1) develop molecular methods to quantify the viable population of two commercial BCAs

(one fungus and one bacterium), and two new candidate BCAs (identified at EMR and are being

formulated by a commercial company); (2) use the method to study BCA population dynamics

under different conditions; (3) investigate BCA dispersal under different rainfall intensities in both

glasshouse and field conditions; (4) use the new knowledge to optimise BCA applications and

evaluate the strategies on strawberry and lettuce; (5) conduct field studies to assess whether

combined use of BCAs as well as with reduced fungicide input would lead to synergy and reduced

variability in biocontrol efficacy.

42

CP 141: The molecular basis of pathogenicity of Neonectria ditissima

Supervisors: Richard Harrison, East Malling Research

Joanna Bowen, New Zealand Institute for Plant & Food Research

Start Date: 01 October 2015 End Date: 30 December 2018

This work will provide fundamental insights into the molecular basis of pathogenicity in N.

ditissima, the causative agent of apple canker. The student will first extend and deploy an

accurate and quantifiable automated pathogenicity test (and image analysis method) to measure

differences in pathogenicity of isolates and resistance to different pathogen isolates. They will

then conduct a gene expression analysis to identify similarities and differences in infection of

isolates of differing virulence on susceptible and resistant hosts. Through bioinformatic

comparison of isolates of N. ditissima gathered worldwide a set of candidate genes important in

virulence will be established and gene disruption techniques will be used in order to determine

the role of these genes in infection. This is important, as downstream application of resistance

genes depends upon an accurate assessment of their durability (and hence targets). WFL and

EMS, the industry contacts for this PhD are operating a new generation of breeding programme,

that directly translates basic science into the applied sector and requires students with more basic

skill sets to move into this industry.

Furthermore, knowledge of effector targets in the pathogen could lead to novel opportunities for

control by targeted disruption of the pathogen. This PhD will provide a foundation for multinational

collaboration to work towards this objective. It will cement the relationship between Plant and

Food NZ and UK researchers working on control of canker and further advance a global

collaboration into control of this important pathogen.

43

CP 142: Enhancing control of the soft- and stone- fruit pest Drosophila

suzukii (Spotted Wing Drosophila) by exploiting its activity patterns in

the field.

Supervisors: Herman Wijnen, University of Southampton

Michelle Fountain, East Malling Research


This project will identify the daily and season behavioural rhythms of Drosophila suzukii (spotted

wing drosophila, SWD) in order to exploit its behaviour for future pest control in UK fruit crops. It

will determine the environmental factors that affect behaviour and how these interact with

pesticide efficacy and trapping.

The project will be a novel and exciting new collaboration between the University of Southampton

and East Malling Research. The student will gain skills in crop husbandry, chronophysiology,

ecology, pest management, and data analyses and interpretation.

D. suzukii is a currently a seriously damaging pest of soft fruit and stone fruit crops. In 2014 fruit

picking in some crops had to cease as the pest became too abundant in the fruits. To achieve

more efficient management of this newly invasive pest it will be useful to predict the daily and

seasonal fluctuations in behaviour to target strategies for more effective control. The proposed

project will test daily patterns of activity, feeding and egg laying under spring, mid-summer and

autumn conditions simulated in the laboratory. Further laboratory experiments will identify the

contribution of light, temperature, humidity and internal timekeeping mechanisms to these

observed rhythms. Parallel field trapping experiments will verify D. suzukii behaviour patterns in

vulnerable crops and in wild areas where D. suzukii is known to overwinter. Once these

parameters are understood the student will examine the vulnerability of the various stages to

pesticide applications and how pesticides interact with field temperatures and D. suzukii

behaviour, throughout the day, in their efficacy. Finally, grower recommendations regarding the

likely activity and control of D. suzukii based on time of year, time of day, and weather conditions

will be made.

44

CP 143: Increasing crop yield and resource use efficiency via root-

zone CO2 enrichment

Supervisors: Ian Dodd, Lancaster University,

Martin McAinsh, Lancaster University


CO2 enrichment of the aerial environment is widely used to increase yields of protected crops.

The annual cost of CO2 production (which can be as high as £200,000 for a 5 Ha glasshouse)

together with an industry-wide drive to reduce agricultural greenhouse gas emissions (to which

CO2 contributes 9%) requires urgent improvements to the efficiency of resource use, the cost-

effectiveness, and the environmental performance of these production systems. A specific

problem of current practice is that the high humidity in the greenhouse environment requires

frequent ventilation to prevent the occurrence of foliar diseases, yet this results in CO2 losses

from the greenhouse to the atmosphere.

This studentship will adopt a multi-scale approach to investigate the potential for using localised

enrichment of the plant root-zone with low concentrations of CO2 as an alternative to bulk CO2

enrichment of the crop’s aerial environment. Small–scale pilot studies will assess the viability of

different approaches for root-zone CO2 enrichment. Glasshouse studies will examine the

physiological mechanisms by which plants respond to root-zone CO2 and how these responses

can be optimized to maximize crop growth and economic productivity. In large-scale studies

conducted in a commercial setting, current best practice in aerial CO2 enrichment will be directly

compared with root-zone CO2 enrichment under comparable conditions. A full cost-benefit

analysis will establish the potential of root-zone CO2 enrichment to reduce the cost and

environmental impact, and improve the productivity, of protected crops.

45

HNS/PO 194: GROWBOT: A Grower-Reprogrammable Robot for

Ornamental Plant Production Tasks

Supervisor: Matthew Howard, King’s College London


This project will explore the use of new, human-robot interactive, soft robotic systems and their

application for semi-automated propagation of multiple varieties of ornamental plants. It will

investigate ways in which non-expert users (i.e. those without technical expertise in robot pro-

gramming and control), but that are nevertheless skilled in plant processing, can use robots in

their work, to relieve them of the more repetitive, labour-intensive tasks encountered.

Focus will be given to improving efficiency and competitiveness in small/medium scale busi-

nesses, typically processing relatively small batches of a wide variety of plants; as opposed to the

traditional large facilities specialised in processing large volumes of single-varieties. For this

reason, the project will investigate ways of automating tasks that are usually difficult to achieve at

small scale, such as taking and inserting cuttings, grading, and collating plant specimens.

To achieve this, the project will draw on advances in adaptive robotics, soft robot design, and

human-robot interaction. New technologies such as robot programming by demonstration

(whereby robots can be ‘trained’ through demonstrations of a task) will be investigated to enable

horticultural workers to program soft robotic manipulators to perform repetitions of horticultural

tasks, while minimising risk to plant products or personnel through in-built compliance in the

mechanical design.

Complex motions of the hand will be recorded through a soft sensor interface (e.g. a data glove)

to enable a soft, light-weight and low-cost robotic manipulator to reproduce the movement. The

speed and ease with which such automation can be adapted to multiple plant varieties will be

assessed with a view to maintaining quick turn-around when processing small batches of plants.

46

Notes

AHDB Horticulture is a division of the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB)

T 024 7669 2051

E [email protected]

W horticulture.ahdb.org.uk

@AHDB_Hort

AHDB Horticulture

Stoneleigh Park

Kenilworth

Warwickshire

CV8 2TL

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