Waitrose working to encourage sustainable food production
A new research initiative led by Scotland’s James Hutton Institute is set to explore innovative mixed-species crop systems, or ‘plant teams’, in a drive to tackle a global challenge: how to feed a growing population from finite resources without wrecking our planet. The €5m DIVERSify project, short for ‘Designing InnoVative plant teams for Ecosystem Resilience and […]
Legumes are a very special type of crop; they are not only a source of highly nutritious food and feed but legumes require no inorganic nitrogen fertiliser, which means they have major advantages as a more sustainable crop. Despite their benefits, legume-based farming systems have not become common practice as they are seen as being […]
As Waitrose extends its successful FareShare trial to 25 branches in total this month, it has today announced it will make funds and Partner (employee) volunteers available to local groups using the IT platform to collect surplus food from the retailer. In a supermarket first, as part of the tie up, groups which collect surplus […]
One of biology’s most charismatic relationships, credited with helping plants to colonise land more than 400 million years ago, has yielded a fundamental survival secret with implications for agriculture and biotechnology. Plant scientists have discovered that a particular form of fungi, which invades plant roots and then helps the colonised plants to absorb nutrients from […]
Researchers from Cranfield University and the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew have constructed the metabolic fingerprint of British heritage apples and mainstream commercial varieties. This has highlighted the extraordinary phytochemical content of some very old apples, with dates of introduction spanning several centuries. The results show key metabolites, with enhanced health promoting properties, have gradually been […]
The world’s leading plant scientists are set to gather for the Fourth International Horticulture Research Conference, taking place at NIAB EMR in East Malling, Kent, from 16th to 20th July 2017. The Conference will bring together international researchers conducting fundamental research on horticultural crops, to showcase the latest research findings and to network with colleagues from around the world. […]
Waitrose is continuing its investment in the English and Welsh wine industry. In response to customer demand, the supermarket has planted 50% more vines at its own vineyard on the Leckford Estate in Hampshire. The new vines will extend the production of the Leckford Estate Brut, which is made with Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot […]
A professor from the University of Reading has joined the board of a global food research and development charity, whose aim is to provide food security for billions of people around the globe. The World Vegetable Center works across Asia and Africa to alleviate poverty and malnutrition in developing countries, and has appointed Professor Richard […]
Studies carried out by Warwick University‘s Dr Lauren Chappell, now an Elsoms plant pathologist, have identified the three main pathogens responsible for parsnip canker, providing a secure platform for the development of disease-resistant lines. Elsoms, a global leader in parsnip breeding, is investing heavily in research, state-of-the art breeding techniques and seed production to bring […]
Maintaining production of many UK crops is at risk if neonicotinoids, the pesticides linked with harming bees, are more widely restricted or banned completely, says Rothamsted Research in a position statement published today. “Furthermore, if groups of chemistries are limited by legislation, the remaining groups will be more widely used, resulting in an increased risk […]
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