Facebook Twitter Instagram
    Trending
    • New Autonomous Ploughing World Record
    • Updated Sprayer technology at Cereals
    • Prime mover technology updates
    • Self-propelled range expands with 5000l unit
    • Switching farm management systems – at Cereals
    • FETF grant funding for machines
    • Budget steering now available
    • Hydrogen Plant and Ag Machines get Green Light to use UK Roads
    Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest RSS
    Precise
    • Home
    • Latest news
      • Agronomy
      • Autonomous ag
      • Data
      • Drones
      • Future fuels
      • Livestock
      • Machinery
      • Practical precision
      • Technology
    • Contributors
    • Subscribe
    • Previous editions
    • Contact Us
    • Privacy policy
    Precise
    You are at:Home»Agronomy»New field station makes space for innovative crop science

    New field station makes space for innovative crop science

    0
    By admin on February 1, 2018 Agronomy

    A new facility to assist advances in crop science is taking shape in the Norfolk countryside.

    The field experimental station at Church Farm, Bawburgh, will allow scientists at the John Innes Centre to carry out ground-breaking research in crop improvements.

    Bringing together lab and field research in one location will further research in understanding how genes control plant growth in the field.

    The aim is to create tools for plant breeders to produce new varieties that are more reliable, nutritious and resilient to pests and diseases

    Mrs Cathy Mumford, who leads the field experimental team at the John Innes Centre, explains the need for the new facility:

    “It means researchers can investigate crop genetics and their effects in an environment in which farmers would grow their crops, where every season is different unlike a glass house or controlled environment.”

    “Researchers will be able to benefit from lab and field facilities that are side by side, and there will be a range of facilities under one roof.”

    The new development is set in 110 hectares of farmland owned by the John Innes Centre of which 20 hectares are used each year for field research on crops and some non-crop plant species.

    The 1700sqm building includes two laboratories, climate-controlled grain storage, office space for six staff, meeting rooms and storage space for agricultural equipment

    Most of the funding for the £4.3m facility comes from the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), with a contribution from the John Innes Foundation.

    It is designed by King’s Lynn-based architectural practice Calvert, Brain & Fraulo Architectural Limited and the building contractors R.G Carter Construction are on track to complete the project in time for a proposed opening in July 2018.

    The new building will bring together facilities that have previously been distributed across several sites, to form a hub that strengthens links between the research community and crop breeders.

    On the site, a new temperature and humidity controlled store will allow the medium-term storage of seeds, the product of many years of research. This seed will be available for scientists and breeders from across the globe to use in their own crop improvement research.

    Research facilities include a plant processing “dirty” laboratory where scientists can process crop samples taken from the trials fields, a “clean” laboratory which will provide access to high grade scientific facilities; and freezer storage for plant tissue samples down to minus 80 degrees.

    The facility is central to the John Innes Centre strategy to deliver BBSRC-funded research on Plant Health, Genes in the Environment and Designing Future Wheat, a cross institute programme spanning eight research institutes and universities.

    In addition to scientists from the John Innes Centre, the facility will be used by researchers from The Sainsbury Laboratory, Quadram Institute, and the Earlham Institute all located on the Norwich Research Park.

    Project leader Professor Simon Griffiths of the John Innes Centre said: “The field experimentation facility is a core capability that is fundamental to JIC science. The progression of plant research from model to field crops means that the need for field-based experimental facilities is more pressing than ever.”

    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
    admin

    Related Posts

    Managing Maize to Maximise Yields

    Season update: It’s T1 Time

    Integrated Remote Control and Decision Support System (Dss) Platforms Crucial to Irrigation

    Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

    You must be logged in to post a comment.

    Recent Posts
    • New Autonomous Ploughing World Record
    • Updated Sprayer technology at Cereals
    • Prime mover technology updates
    • Self-propelled range expands with 5000l unit
    • Switching farm management systems – at Cereals
    Categories
    • Agronomy
    • Autonomous ag
    • Business
    • Data
    • Drones
    • Future fuels
    • Livestock
    • Machinery
    • News
    • Practical precision
    • Technology
    • Tyres
    • Uncategorized
    Precise tag cloud
    Agronomy Autonomous ag Business Data Drones Future fuels Livestock Machinery News Practical precision Technology Tyres Uncategorized
    Copyright © 2017 FarmSmart Publishing Limited
    • Home
    • Privacy policy
    • Contact
    Copyright © 2025 ThemeSphere. Powered by WordPress.

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.