emr: research, development & innovation

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annu a l r e p o r t

Governing Board

Chairman: Mr Frank Attwood ‡ Professor Ian Crute CBE Mrs Sarah Ward OBE

Science & Industry Advisory Board

Chairman: Professor Ian Crute CBEProfessor Nick BatteyProfessor William Davies CBEDr Helen FerrierMr David Gardner*Mrs Marion Regan

* Left Jan 2013

Auditors:

Crowe Clark Whitehall LLP, 10 Palace Avenue, Maidstone, Kent, ME15 6NF

Solicitors:

Brachers LLP, Somerfield House, 59 London Road, Maidstone, Kent, ME16 8JH

Banking:

Barclays Bank, 40/46 High Street Maidstone, Kent, ME14 1SS

Patent Agents: Marks & Clerk LLP, 90 Long Acre, London, WC2E 9RA

East Malling Research

New Road, East Malling, Kent, ME19 6BJ, UK

A private company limited by guarantee. Registered in England. Registration No. 5019373.

Charity Registration No. 1102243. Registered office as above

Telephone: +44(0)1732 843833Fax: +44(0)1732 849067Electronic mail: enquiries@emr.ac.ukWebsite: www.emr.ac.uk

Editors: Angela Chapple and Jane Gregory

Graphics and Design: Penny Greeves

© East Malling Research 2013

Page

Introduction 1

Professor Peter Gregory

Genetics and Crop Improvement 7

Dr David Simpson

Pest and Pathogen Ecology for Sustainable Crop Management 13

Professor Jerry Cross

Resource Efficiency for Crop Production 25

Dr Mark Else

Communications – getting the word out 36

Dr Ursula Twomey & Ross Newham

International Links 44

Staff Publications 48

Accounts 52

Staff List 53

EMR Research Projects 55

annual report 2012: contents

| 1introduction: Professor Peter J. Gregory

2012 will be remembered as the year in which winter drought gave way to the wettestyear in England since records began. The cool spring caused many local problems forsoft and top fruit growers, and many grape growers in Sussex and Hampshire hadnothing to harvest. The increasing frequency of heavy rain events in the UK, coupledwith global warming and the appearance of Spotted Wing Drosophila, will pose manychallenges for the future, and reinforce the need for a stable research base forimportant horticultural crops. This need is increasingly being recognised by someDepartments within the UK Government, and it is noteworthy that the Chancellor ofthe Exchequer included investment in agricultural research as one of eight priorityareas for research investment to promote economic growth, in a speech preceding hisautumn budget statement. Nationally, the emergence of the Horticulture InnovationPlatform offers a new opportunity for a more coordinated approach to research andinvestment across the many organisations allied to horticultural crops, and EMR looksforward to active participation in its activities.

The hard work put in during 2011 to develop an EMR Science and Research Strategyfor the period 2012 to 2017 started to produce results in 2012. The Strategy wasapproved by the Board of the East Malling Trust in April and backed by a Business Planwhich will see the number of scientific leaders almost double by 2016, with significantinvestments too, in laboratory, field and glasshouse facilities. The Strategy emphasisesthat East Malling Research (EMR) is focused on high-quality strategic and appliedresearch in horticultural and environmental sciences, and will deliver knowledge,products and services to a range of private and public sector customers. EMR willensure that the research it undertakes can be used rapidly by industry, particularly inperennial and clonally propagated crops, and that it will be widely recognised as thepre-eminent research institute in the UK for horticultural crops.

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During the year we added substantially to the science base through the appointmentof several scientific researchers. Drs Gerard Bishop and Emma Skipper joined us torenew our work on aspects of food chain quality, especially issues of produce qualityduring production and storage. This work was kick-started by funding from theBiotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) and has enabled usto expand the work of the Produce Quality Centre (PQC) that is undertaken jointlywith staff from the Natural Resources Institute of the University of Greenwich. DrEleftheria Stavridou will be bringing her knowledge of plant nutrition to bear on arange of issues related to top- and soft-fruit production and complements the excitingwork undertaken by Dr Mark Else on improving water use in a range of crops. DrEdward Dobbs joined EMR in the role of Molecular Biologist, working on a EuropeanUnion funded project to characterise double-stranded RNA viruses from the complexknown as Mushroom Virus X. Ed recently completed his PhD Studentship inChromatin Biology at the University of Edinburgh. Dr Laura Lewis has joined ourexpanding group of crop geneticists to explore crop/pathogen interactions while DrHayley Mulhall, a cell biologist, will be exploring new approaches to developing plantcell lines and reporter gene technologies. Finally, Dr Nicola Harrison will be usingmolecular and genetic techniques to explore the development of novel rootstocksand to contribute to a wider activity to improve our understanding of the scienceunderpinning rootstock performance. In addition to these full-time appointments wehave also welcomed to the staff Dr Carol Wagstaff from the University of Reading, whowill be acting as an advisor to the developing research on food chain quality, and DrPhil Brain, who is now our statistical consultant tasked with increasing our researchcapacity in quantitative sciences; both are working for one day each week at EMR.These appointments, together with those of Ross Newham as Head ofCommunications, Johanna White as Finance Director, and Spencer Diprose as Facilities

Some of the fresh produce now

being worked on in the Produce

Quality Centre

Rhizotron for observing

root growth

(Photo: Nuria Barber Perez)

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Ladybird lava and a hoverfly larva,

both important predators of aphids

Manager, have increased the “buzz” around the Institute and increased EMR’sinfluence nationally. This increased activity has also been amplified by the first of thenew joint PhD studentship appointments with the University of Reading. Three newPhD students also joined EMR in October and there are plans afoot to add to thiscohort.

Our science made several advances during the year which are detailed in this report.A notable contribution was our participation in an international consortium forgenome sequencing and analysis of the cultivated mushroom, Agaricus bisporus.Gene composition and transcriptional regulation revealed the molecular basis of theadaptation of A. bisporus to its humic-rich niche. We are now exploiting the genomesequence using microarrays to understand how A. bisporus interacts with viralinfection – an area of science required to develop solutions to ongoing Virus Xproblems in global mushroom production. In our pest and pathogen programme, wehave conducted ground-breaking research (with Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest)into ways of manipulating ant-aphid mutualism to control important pest aphids offruit trees. The work has led to novel methods for distracting the common black ant,Lasius niger, from protecting aphids from generalist insect predators. These includeprovision of artificial sugar sources, fostering populations of grass root aphids andproviding nests of the mostly subterranean ant species, Lasius flavus, which competeswith L. niger. Lasius flavus appears to have an important role in supporting andstabilising root aphid populations, because it has the ability to overwinter root aphideggs in its nests. A marker for resistance to Verticillium wilt has been validated acrossa wide range of unrelated strawberry germplasm, showing it to be robust, and it isnow being used for marker-assisted breeding. We also investigated the genetics ofwater use efficiency (WUE) in strawberry and identified quantitative trait loci (QTL) for

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Black ants (Lasius niger) tending aphids

introduction| 4

these traits in the wild species, Fragaria chiloensis. These can be easily hybridised with thecultivated strawberry, making the introgression of these genes a feasible proposition forstrawberry breeders. Moreover, we were very pleased about the award of theJones-Bateman Cup of the Royal Horticultural Society to Jerry Cross for his significantcontribution to research work aimed at controlling insect pests of fruits, and similarlydelighted that our new strawberry “Vibrant” won an award with Meiosis Ltd for the bestnew edible variety of the year at the industry ceremony hosted by the Fresh Produce Journal.

During the year we undertook major reviews of our needs for glasshouse and fieldfacilities, leading to plans for some major changes. Some old glass will be demolishedand replaced with plastic tunnels, while a large glasshouse will be divided intocompartments; these changes will result in savings in heating and other costs. On thefarm, meanwhile, we have planted a new apple orchard for pest and pathogenresearch, and will concentrate our collections in an area closer to the main building,thereby freeing space for commercial plantings. We plan to plant new experimentalorchards for apple nutrition and cherry quality research, and there are also the firstideas around an area for “novel” fruits.

As ever, we received a large number of visitors during the year from the UK andinternationally. Of particular note were the visits by a delegation from China, withwhom we have signed an agreement to participate in a joint programme of strawberryresearch into breeding and control of pests and diseases, and a group of freshproduce growers and exporters from Egypt, who have requested a Memorandum ofUnderstanding leading to closer working. We were especially pleased to welcomeHRH The Duke of Kent on 11 December, who came to see our work on using watermore efficiently in horticultural production systems and who officially opened the PQC.

Award winning strawberry variety ‘Vibrant’ Jerry Cross receiving the RHS Jones-Bateman Cup>>

We were sorry to say farewell to Dr Chris Atkinson in October, who left to becomeProfessor of Sustainable Agriculture and Climate Change at the University ofGreenwich; Chris was Director of Science for several years and we wish him well in hisnew role. Tony Lock retired from his position as Director of Finance after many yearsof overseeing the money, and we express our gratitude to him for his service.

The turning of the year gives an opportunity, too, to look forward to 2013 and whatwill be a very special year for EMR. We shall be celebrating our centenary in style witha range of activities including a staff party on 1 March (the birthday), a public open dayin September, an international science conference in November and a special exhibitthat we hope to show at The Chelsea Flower Show, the Royal Bath & West Show, andthe Kent Show. In addition to the fun, there will also be some hard work as we puttogether a response to the invitation from the BBSRC to approach them for somestrategic funding.

I hope that you will enjoy reading about the rest of our activities in 2012, and learnsomething of the exciting research that we are engaged in to underpin food securityand the UK’s horticultural industries.

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HRH The Duke of Kent unveiling the PQC plaque Viscount De L’Isle and his wife visit East Malling

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Blossom in the rootstock

gene bank

During 2012 the programme continued to focus on the development of improvedcultivars of temperate perennial fruit crops. The commercially-funded breedingprogrammes for strawberry, raspberry, cherry and rootstocks for apple and pearwere underpinned by molecular research projects aimed at improving breedingefficiency and precision.

The Strawberry Breeding Club (SBC), which is funded by a consortium of industrypartners and the Horticultural Development Company, took the decision tocommercialise the June-bearing selection EM1764, which will be launched in 2013with the name ‘Malling Centenary’. This cultivar is an early-season type which iswell suited to both the 60-day and maincrop production systems. Over the last fourseasons it has performed well in trials at EMR, on growers’ farms and inindependent trials undertaken for the Horticultural Development Company. Theoutstanding features are excellent eating quality, very high percentage of Class 1fruit (>90%) and uniform appearance with long shelf-life. The commercialisation ofMalling Centenary is being managed by Meiosis Ltd.

A molecular marker for resistance to Verticillium dahliae was used for the first timein the SBC breeding programme in 2012. In an earlier project, five resistance QTLwere located on a linkage map of the progeny Redgauntlet x Hapil. The locus withthe largest effect has an underlying gene for hydroxyproline-rich glycoprotein(HRGP) for which a marker was developed and validated in 48 cultivars and lines ofknown resistance phenotype. Two alleles were associated with resistance, with bothbeing present in the most resistant germplasm. Parental lines were genotyped forpresence of these alleles and this information was then used in designing the 2012crossing programme. Work also commenced on identifying and validating markers

genetics and crop improvement: Dr David Simpson | 7

associated with the other four resistance QTL that had been detected in themapping progeny. An investigation into the genetics of water use efficiency (WUE)has identified several QTL in the American wild species, Fragaria chiloensis, whichis a progenitor of the cultivated strawberry. So far these QTL have not been foundto be present in any accessions of the cultivated strawberry, but they could beintroduced by interspecific hybridisation followed by repeated backcrossing, usingmarkers to ensure trait introgression.

A second strawberry breeding programme is funded by CPM Ltd and commencedin 2009, with the aim of developing cultivars suitable for UK supermarket sales andspecifically adapted to production in substrate using the table top system. Theprogramme is focused exclusively on June-bearers and builds on earlier,Defra-funded research where we investigated the genetics of the key traits thatcontribute to high yield and good fruit size in 60-day production. Parental lineswith good adaptation to the 60-day system have been used for annual crossingprogrammes and the best seven selections from 2010 were tested by CPM growersin 2012. CPM work closely with their main customer, Sainsbury’s, when evaluatingthe fruit quality of advanced selections, and one very promising line has now beenidentified for further development.

Cherry breeding at EMR had recommenced in 2010, supported by Univeg KatopéLtd and the Associated International Group of Nurseries (AIGN). This is acommercially focused project aimed at developing improved cultivars to extendthe season of availability of high-quality cherries for UK retailers. Univeg and AIGNinvolvement streamlines propagation, trialling and test marketing of promisingmaterial worldwide. New seedling populations are being raised annually alongside

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New strawberry variety ‘Mallling Centenary’

Fragaria chiloensis

Trials for table top production

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genetics and crop improvement

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the ongoing evaluation of material from EMR’s historic cherry programme, fromwhich four selections are being propagated for multi-site trials. We will gain a betterunderstanding of the genotype x environment interaction (GxE) effect on fruitquality from an evolving collaboration with various European research groupsthrough participation in the EU-funded COST Action FA1104 ‘Sustainableproduction of high-quality cherries for the European market’, launched in 2012.

Genomic tools for the pre-selection of water-use efficiency in apple rootstock

breeding

Since 2004, EMR scientists have been working with Defra funding to developmolecular tools to expedite and improve the efficiency of apple rootstock breeding.The commercially-funded East Malling Rootstock Club (EMRC) aims to developimproved rootstock cultivars with a range of vigour suitable to different growingsystems and climates; improved water-use efficiency (WUE) is an importantbreeding objective. However, developing a new rootstock can take more than 30years, largely due to the lack of reliable techniques for early selection of many traitsthat need to be characterised through long-term replicated trials. The developmentand deployment of DNA markers (marker-assisted breeding) will increase theefficiency of breeding programmes and shorten these timescales.

The choice of a suitable rootstock is critical to the success of all fruit plantings,including dessert, culinary and cider apples. Rootstocks not only control the vigourand precocity of the scions grafted onto them but also influence yield, fruit qualityand the overall health of the tree. Also, as the root system, they have an obvious

Grading cherry selections Penny x Burlat controlled crossing in the polytunnel

role in nutrient and water capture and use. The challenges posed by climatechange, together with a growing world population, continue to drive the need forincreased resource efficiency in horticulture. Fruit trees in high-density, intensiveorchards can face drought stress during critical periods of the growing season, evenin cool temperate climates. Consequently, irrigation is becoming the norm for UKplantings and it is already common practice in most apple-growing regionsworldwide. However, growers are likely to experience severe competition for theuse of fresh water, not only in dry areas but also in those where population densitynear fruit farms is high, such as in Britain.

The Defra project WU1105 (2008-2014) aims to identify genes involved in water-useefficiency using the phenotypic variation of a segregating progeny to locaterelevant QTLs on a linkage map. To this aim, DNA from 140 seedlings from thecross between the very dwarfing rootstock ‘M.27’ and the semi-vigorous ‘M.116’(‘M.27’ × ‘M.M.106’) was used to develop a highly saturated genetic map. In thefirst instance, a framework map was assembled using PCR-based markers; a totalof 344 microsatellite (SSR) primer pairs were tested, of which 82% were informativerevealing 324 loci that coalesced in the 17 linkage groups (chromosomes) expectedfor apple. This map covered a genetic distance of 1,230 cM, equivalent to 90% ofthe apple genome, and using the published sequences around 246 of its markers,it was possible to anchor it to 142 scaffolds, containing 282.4 Mbp of the ‘GoldenDelicious’ apple reference genome sequence. Marker density varied from 2.5 and6.3 cM/marker on average, with three linkage groups sporting gaps larger than 15cM. Further saturation was required for QTL mapping so, in collaboration withresearchers at IASMA (Italy), the progeny was characterised using the Infinium® IIIllumina array. This genotyping set, developed through international partnership

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Crossing apple rootstocks Apple rootstock populations in the field

genetics and crop improvement

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led by the RosBREED initiative, comprises almost 9,000 single nucleotidepolymorphisms (SNPs) identified from the apple and pear genomes that are testedthrough direct hybridisation of genomic DNA to a bead matrix. Automated datascoring revealed that of the 7,867 apple SNP markers on the array, 23.4% wereheterozygous in one of the two parents of the progeny and a further 12.6% wereheterozygous in both, while transferability for the 921 pear SNPs on the array wasbelow 2%. The resultant uni-parental linkage maps spanned 1,328 cM and 1,457 cMand contained 1,095 and 959 markers for ‘M.116’ and ‘M.27’ respectively. Despitemuch enhanced marker saturation, a few gaps larger than 10 cM still remain in themaps published in 2012. Manual re-scoring of SNP data has recently added afurther 800 markers to the map, filling some of the larger gaps. Interestingly, thepositions of 281 out of 1,677 uni-parental markers on the ‘M.27’ or ‘M.116’ linkagemap conflicted with their predicted positions on the ‘Golden Delicious’pseudo-chromosomes. This indicates either the presence of paralogous genomicregions or mis-assignments of genome sequence contigs during the assembly andanchoring of the current reference genome sequence for apple.

In parallel with the genotyping efforts, physiologists at EMR have studied the WUEof seven commercially-available rootstocks in container and field experimentscomparing well watered and water stressed treatments. A range of measurementsincluding stomatal conductance (through porometry and thermal imaging) andphotosynthetic assimilation rates were recorded on worked and unworkedrootstocks and compared in order to optimise the phenotyping protocol to be usedin the seedlings of the mapping progeny. Biomass accumulated per litre of watertranspired (g/L) and carbon isotope composition values (measured by massspectrometry) were identified as the most reliable and convenient traits for

Monitoring water use Saturated linkage map of the M.27 x M.116 progeny

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screening rootstocks for differences in water use. Phenotyping has been carriedout on two-year-old rooted cuttings in 10L pots a year after being grafted with‘Gala’. These were exposed to moderate water stress applied by deficit irrigation(only 65% of the volume lost daily by transpiration during a 24 h period wasreplaced during the summer months). Data from 2012 indicates a good range ofvariation in the progeny for leaf biomass gained per L of water transpired, whilecarbon isotope composition (δ13C) results will be available in early 2013. Thesephenotypic data will be used to identify QTL linked to WUE on the saturatedlinkage map.

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New equipment at EMR: The illuminar Miseq is at the cutting

edge of DNA sequencing technologies, and allows rapid

sequencing of crop pest and pathogen genomes

Root-rot resistance screening

in raspberry

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This science programme continued a diverse range of activities in 2012, addressingthe development of sustainable solutions to important pests and pathogens,especially of perennial crops. The arrival of new alien invasive species, climatechange and changing horticultural practices presented many new challenges.

Dr Robert Saville spent his first full year as a trainee Research Leader, havingcompleted his PhD in cereal pathology at the John Innes Research Centre. He isfunded by a Horticultural Development Company fellowship and is workingalongside Dr Angela Berrie to gain expertise and skills in fruit pathology. He bringsexcellent new skills in molecular aspects of pathological research and has alreadymade great progress in adapting himself into his new research role.

Major HortLINK research projects on integrated management of pear sucker andcapsid pheromones were completed in 2012. In the pear sucker project, a complexof predator species including earwigs, anthocorid predatory bugs, spiders(especially Phylodromus spp.) and ladybirds (especially the Harlequin ladybird) wereshown to be important for natural regulation of pear sucker populations in pearorchards. Anthocorid predatory bugs, previously regarded as the key pear suckerpredators, though highly mobile and having a comparatively fast numericalresponse to pear sucker infestations, were found to have only a low preyconsumption rate as their body size is small compared to pear sucker. Earwigs,though much less mobile and slower to increase, were found to have much higherconsumption rates and it was realised for the first time that pear sucker is probablyonly a problem where earwig numbers are low or where they are absent, possiblydue to inappropriate pesticide use. This work as a whole led to recommendationsfor pear sucker management with a new emphasis on providing the correct plant

pest and pathogen ecology for sustainablecrop management: Professor Jerry Cross

Female earwig looking after her eggs

Yellow ants (Lasius flavus) taking aphid eggs into nest for overwintering

species in hedgerows/windbreaks (especially willow, nettle, hazel and hawthornand avoiding Italian alder), avoiding large orchards where sources of predators aretoo distant, and use of only the safest pesticides to important pear suckerpredators, especially earwigs. A programme of testing of the longer-term effectsof commonly used pesticides on earwigs was started and it is anticipated that infuture the results of this programme will be important in informing pesticide choicein orchards, as earwigs are important natural enemies of many orchard pestsincluding codling moth, aphids, scale insects and suckers.

The capsid pheromone LINK project led to the commercial development ofpheromone monitoring traps for the two most important capsid (Lygus) bug pestsin UK horticulture, the European tarnished plant bug and the common greencapsid, as well as the first practical monitoring traps for this group of bugs, andthese were widely used in UK horticulture for the first time in 2012. A new four-yearresearch project funded under the EU Core Organic Scheme, in collaboration withresearch groups from Denmark, Latvia, Norway, Sweden and Switzerland wasstarted, which aims to develop multiple species mass traps for capsid bug andbeetle pests of strawberry and raspberry.

Several ongoing research projects funded by the Horticultural DevelopmentCompany are focused on developing new management methods for the strawberrytarsonemid mite (Phytonemus pallidus fragariae), a pest which is usually introducedinto plantations on infested planting material. Loss of suitable chemical actives andof methyl bromide fumigation of planting material are almost certainly theunderlying causes of the increase in the incidence of the pest in the last few years,which has caused damaging infestations in over a quarter of commercial strawberry

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Spotted Wing Drosophila

Earwig lifecycle<

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crops. The efficacy of range of different predatory mite species for biocontrol of thetarsonemid mite was tested in polytunnel versus glasshouse and summer versusautumn conditions. A programme of screening of acaricides in admixture withadjuvants was continued. New effective treatments, including promising resultswith the predatory phytoseiid mite Amblyseius barkeri and with a novel acaricide,have been identified. In collaboration with Fera, a new molecular diagnostic test forthe pest has also been developed.

Molecular techniques have been increasingly used in plant disease epidemiologicalresearch to answer questions that conventional methods find difficult to answer.For example, we are currently using molecular techniques to study whether and, ifso, how fungal population structures are significantly affected by control measuresapplied, including fungicides, ontogenic resistance, cultivars and biofumigants.Isolates of apple scab, caused by Venturia inaequalis, were subjected to molecularscreening for AFLP and SSR loci to investigate between- and within-orchard fungalvariability. Although populations of isolates from the two orchards did not differsignificantly, groups of isolates from individual cultivars in the same orchardsdiffered significantly. Furthermore, there were also significant differences betweengroups of isolates from individual trees of the same cultivar in the same orchard.These differences were less pronounced in a younger orchard containing a mixtureof cultivars than in an older one, indicating ongoing host-pathogen co-evolution.Non-random mating may be one of the factors causing the significant differencesamong fungal populations from different cultivars. These cultivar differencessuggest that apparently ‘susceptible’ cultivars have different background geneticresistance factors, which may be exploited for disease management in mixtures.The existence of tree-to-tree fungal variability indicates a possible role for conidia

pest and pathogen ecology forsustainable crop management

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Parasitoid wasp laying egg in its

aphid host

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Apple scab on fruit and leaves V

as a source of primary inoculum. Currently, we are investigating dynamics of scabpopulations in orchards of mixed cultivars to determine the potential of usingmixtures in commercial apple production.

Substantive effort was invested into bidding for new research projects. Four newprojects funded by the Chemicals Regulation Directorate and three new projectsfunded by the Technology Strategy Board were awarded.

Research leaders in the programme had many notable activities and achievements.Prof. Xiangming Xu spent eight weeks of his OECD fellowship at Ohio StateUniversity with Prof. Larry Madden. During this period, he focused his effort on (1)modelling mycotoxin accumulation in wheat and oat grain due to infection of earsby Fusarium spp., and (2) understanding the properties of the binary power lawmodel that is often used to characterise spatio-temporal dynamics of plantdiseases. The research illustrated difficulties in developing a reliable model forpredicting mycotoxin accumulation in grain and demonstrated why the binarypower model is able to capture the spatio-temporal dynamics of plant diseases.Dr Michelle Fountain passed her BASIS exams and became a member of the BASISProfessional Register (Comm. Hort. category), qualifying her to give professionaladvice on the use of pesticides. Prof. Jerry Cross was awarded the Jones-Batemancup by the Royal Horticultural Society in recognition of his lifetime research intomanagement of the pests of UK fruit crops, which forms the basis of many practicesused in fruit crops today. Prof. Cross undertook a five-week study tour of pestmanagement, including of alien invasive species, in fruit growing in the Great Lakesand Pacific Northwest of America and Canada in August and September 2012. Thetwo most important alien invasive pests which threaten UK fruit growing are the

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> Symptoms of Fusarium head

blight on wheat and macroconidia

of the causal pathogen

(Photos courtesy of

Dr Paul Nicholson JIC, UK)

Spotted Wing Drosophila (SWD) and the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug. SWD wasfirst found at East Malling Research on 29 August 2012 as a direct consequence ofa request a few days earlier during the study tour to the EMR entomology team todeploy monitoring traps in fruit crops at the institute. SWD is a highly damagingpest of a wide range of soft and stone fruit the larvae that feed inside causing arapid degradation in fruit quality, with damaged or infested fruit beingunmarketable. It will be an important focus of future research.

Developing and optimising biocontrol for fruit pests and pathogens

Pest and disease control in fruit crops is still highly dependent on the use ofchemical pesticides and an important ongoing focus of research for this scienceprogramme is to develop alternative biologically based control methods. Some ofthe main research topics in 2012 are summarised below:

Classical biocontrol

Western flower thrips (Frankliniella occidentalis) is a serious pest on strawberry, inparticular in everbearer varieties and in second year crops. The pest feeds ondeveloping fruits causing the fruit to become bronzed and, when populations arehigh, leading to complete loss of crop. This pest is difficult to control because it hasdeveloped resistance to all the pesticides currently approved for its control.Research undertaken by EMR on a commercial grower’s site investigated the effectof releasing the predatory mite Neoseiulus (Amblyseius) cucumeris on thripspopulations. This predatory mite is commercially available in two formulations:sachets, which provide the predator with prey and a protected environment and

pest and pathogen ecology forsustainable crop management

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Filling a trap with bait for

monitoring the pest Spotted

Wing Drosophila

Trap in place in a raspbery

plantation >

which can be hung on the plants; and loose product which has to be distributedover the crop. We showed that use of sachets in March or April, before thripsnumbers begin to increase on the plants, followed by one or more looseapplications of the predatory mite, reduced thrips numbers and subsequent fruitdamage in early harvests. Work is ongoing to combine this strategy with releasesof the predatory insect Orius laevigatus in attempts to provide whole seasoncontrol of the pest.

Pheromone discovery and exploitation

In previous work in collaboration with Prof. David Hall, Chemical Ecology Group,Natural Resources Institute, we have identified the aggregation pheromone of thestrawberry blossom weevil (Anthonomus rubi) and the sex pheromone of theEuropean tarnished plant bug (ETPB) (Lygus rugulipennis). An interesting and novelnew research avenue, originally initialled by EMR and NRI, is to develop multiplespecies mass traps for these pests. A four-year research project funded under theEU Core Organic Scheme in collaboration with research groups from Denmark,Latvia, Norway, Sweden and Switzerland, to develop multiple species mass trapsfor capsid bug and beetle pests of strawberry and raspberry, was started in 2012.Currently the pheromone trap for the ETPB incorporates a green cross vanefunnelled bucket trap with the pheromone lure suspended at the top, just under thelid. The male insects are attracted to the pheromone and fly into the vane, droppinginto the bucket below. This enables growers to monitor the populations on a weeklybasis, facilitating more accurate targeting of insecticidal sprays. The strawberryblossom weevil trap, which uses a combination of an aggregation pheromone(catches males and females) and a wild strawberry plant volatile compound, is very

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Windbreak with nettle strip as a source of anthocorid bugs

and other important predators of pear suckers

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Anthocorid

nemoralis

similar to the ETPB trap, only with white cross vanes instead of green. Substantivetesting of new trap designs combining the two species attractants have shown thatgreen cross vane bucket traps are effective at catching both species and the twosynthetic baits do not interfere with each other. This shows good promise for theability to precision monitor for both pests and at the same time to target controlmeasures and reduce chemical inputs.

Modelling biocontrol dynamics

Despite huge efforts in research and development, success in biocontrol of plantdiseases in field crops has been limited. To improve control efficacies, there hasrecently been increasing interest in studying efficacy arising from combined use ofbiocontrol agents (BCAs) to exploit potential synergy. However, recently wereviewed published evidence and showed that most published studies insteadshowed antagonistic interactions among BCAs.

Understanding the dynamics of an interacting BCA-pathogen system is essential fordeploying BCAs effectively. We developed a mean-field deterministic model forbiocontrol of foliar diseases and conducted a series of deterministic and stochasticmodelling studies to investigate whether combined use of two BCAs would result insynergy under homogeneous and spatial/temporal heterogeneous conditions. Underhomogeneous conditions, combining mechanisms within a single BCA is generally themost effective in reducing disease development. However, two BCAs with a single butdifferent mechanism would rarely combine synergistically. Similarly, under temporalfluctuating conditions combined use of two BCAs generally results in antagonisticinteractions rather than synergistic interactions among BCAs, although combined use

pest and pathogen ecology forsustainable crop management

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Combined trap in the field for

European tarnished bug and

strawberry blossom weevil

European tarnished bug

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< Brown rot

may lead to a slightly longer delay in initial epidemic development than use of individualBCAs. In contrast, under spatially heterogeneous conditions where two BCAdifferentially adapted to two habitats, combined use of two BCAs is likely to be moreeffective than the more efficacious BCA used alone. Furthermore, combined use oftwo BCAs led to synergistic interactions when there is large differential adaptation oftwo BCAs in the two habitats. Most importantly, the extent of antagonism and synergybetween two BCAs under heterogeneous conditions depends on the biocontrolmechanisms involved, the differences in BCA activities, and the effects of environmentalconditions on BCA activity. This series of theoretical modelling studies has emphasisedthe importance of understanding the degree of spatial patchiness and quantitativerelationships between biocontrol activities and external conditions for effectivedeployment of commercial BCAs, which is unfortunately currently neglected.

Discovering BCAs

Brown rot, caused by Monilinia laxa, is the most important disease on cherry andplum in the UK. We have been investigating whether there are indigenous microbialorganisms that can control the disease or reduce the impact caused by thepathogen. A total of 260 strains of microbes were isolated from leaf or fruit surfacesand tested for their in vitro inhibitory activity against M. laxa. Of these strains, 12showed good and consistent inhibition and they were then put forward for in vivoscreening on fruits. Two isolates (one bacterium and one yeast strain) consistentlyreduced brown rot development in controlled inoculation experiments on bothcherry and plum. Currently, these two strains are being assessed for their efficacywhen applied post-harvest to reduce fruit rot or in late autumn/early spring toreduce sporulation of overwintered mummified fruit. Preliminary results suggested

that these two strains have limited effects in reducing post-harvest rot, but theycould largely suppress sporulation on mummified fruit.

We are currently identifying the two strains using both morphological andmolecular techniques. As shown in the theoretical modelling studies, understandingecological characteristics of BCAs and the main biocontrol mechanisms is critical fortheir effective deployment. We are conducting experiments to study the populationdynamics (reproduction and mortality) under different environmental conditionsand to identify possible biocontrol mechanisms.

Optimising commercially available BCAs

Biocontrol agents (BCAs) offer an alternative to conventional fungicides for diseasecontrol in fruit crops, particularly where pesticide residues or fungicide resistancemay be of concern. However, BCAs are not a direct substitute for fungicides.Therefore, an important part of their development is field evaluation ofcommercially available products to establish efficacy and identify best use andoptimum timing. Over the past year this work has covered a range of diseases ona number of fruit crops as part of various projects funded under the HortLINKprogramme. Results with BCAs have been variable depending on crop, targetdisease and field of use. The results have been most promising when the BCAshave been used as a post-harvest drench to control botrytis fruit rot on pears incold store and as plant drenches for control of strawberry crown rot (P. cactorum).This success may be because the treatments are targeted on specific plant parts(i.e. the fruit or crown) and used in more controlled environments, i.e. the cold storeor the soil environment. Success has been more limited where BCAs have been

pest and pathogen ecology forsustainable crop management

| 22

BCA microorganisms inhibiting brown rot fungus (Monilinia

laxa) on an agar plates

Control

>

evaluated for the control of diseases in the field where the plant target is changingdaily and conditions are much more variable. In this situation BCAs were ineffectivefor control of apple powdery mildew (Podosphaera leucotricha) or soft rots onstrawberries caused by Mucor or Rhizopus spp. Both these diseases can developvery rapidly, and possibly the BCAs evaluated may not be capable of rapidresponse. BCAs have also been evaluated in the field for control of botrytis fruitrot in strawberries and blackcurrants with some success, but the results havetended to be inconsistent, particularly on strawberries. In trials on blackcurrantstwo BCAs – Serenade (Bacillus subtilis) and Prestop (Gliocladium catenulatum) bothgave acceptable control of botrytis fruit rot where the disease pressure was low,but failed to control the rotting under high disease pressure. From these results itis clear that for BCAs to be a viable alternative to fungicides for control of fungaldiseases in the field, particularly in strawberries and other soft fruit, then we needto understand how best to use them in a managed disease control programme togive a more consistent and reliable result. In order to achieve this we need tounderstand how the performance of the BCAs is affected by the environment andinteractions with other microorganisms on plant surfaces and how they may beintegrated with other disease control methods.

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Pear drenching for control of Botrytis

Untreated pears>

>

Fusarium growing on agar

The focus of this science programme in 2012 has been to develop new areas of researchto help tackle acknowledged challenges associated with climate change, food security,food chain quality and resource use efficiency. Our aim is to build resilience into supplychains by optimising both pre-harvest and post-harvest factors to improve water, fertiliserand energy efficiencies, enhance quality and nutrition, reduce waste or processagricultural wastes for new and sustainable functions and extend the availability andchoice of fresh produce. Six new Research Leaders have been appointed in the areas ofmolecular plant nutrition, food chain quality, mushroom:viral interactions and root biology.

More efficient water, fertilisers and energy use is vital to the future success ofagri-businesses, and our focus has been to deliver strategic science into commercialpractice. Scientifically-derived approaches to irrigation scheduling developed inHortLINK HL0187 were rolled out commercially in 2012 and significant improvementsin on-farm water use efficiency and Class 1 yields were achieved. Similar successeswere achieved in HDC-funded experiments in commercial substrate strawberrysystems and the Sainsbury’s Concept Pear Orchard at EMR. Our expertise is alsohelping to improve the water productivity of cut rose production in Kenya in acollaborative FRICH-funded project with Sainsbury’s.

We are continuing research into exploiting stress signals to improve organolepticquality and extend shelf-life of fresh produce, and the environmental and geneticregulation of berry phytonutrient content of strawberry is being investigated by a PhDstudentship jointly funded by the East Malling Trust and the University of Reading.Improved availability and acquisition of nutrients under sub-optimal conditions isneeded, and Dr Eleftheria Stavridou is developing molecular approaches to helpimprove nutrient use efficiency in horticultural production systems.

resource efficiency for crop production: Dr Mark Else

| 25

A major new scientific collaboration between EMR and the University of Greenwich(UoG) was launched in December 2012 by HRH the Duke of Kent. The Produce QualityCentre (PQC) is led by Dr Gerard Bishop (EMR) and Dr Debbie Rees (UoG) andcombines the technical expertise of both organisations to optimise both pre-harvestand post-harvest factors to improve food security and minimise waste through thesupply chain. Dr Emma Skipper at EMR focuses on molecular aspects of improvingquality and shelf-life of temperate crops such as cherries and UoG’s Natural ResourcesInstitute (NRI) leads research on tropical crops; Dr Carol Wagstaff (University of Readingand EMR) is Strategic Research Advisor to the PQC. Projects in the PQC are funded bythe Biotechnology & Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), Defra, theagricultural levy bodies and the commercial sector, including retailers.

Mushrooms are among the most valuable horticultural crops grown in the UK, andEMR’s current research into all aspects of mushroom cultivation is expounded below.These investigations have led to a number of research and development opportunitiesthat are applicable to other horticultural crops, such as disease suppressive composts,peat replacement, and formulation of growing media. Current work includes thecharacterisation of mushroom virus X (MVX), a serious and persistent disease for themushroom industry, and Dr Edward Dobbs is using genomic technologies to sequenceand identify the complex of RNA viruses and understand how they move both withinthe cell and between farms.

EMR’s research into root biology has been invigorated by the appointment of Dr NicolaHarrison, a joint position funded by the East Malling Trust and the University ofReading. Rootstock research has been carried out at EMR for 100 years, but thecomplexity of the interactions between rootstocks and scions remain poorly

| 26

WUE trials on roses in the Grodome

Storage bins in store in the

Produce Quality Centre Cherry cracking

resource efficiency for crop production

> > >

| 27

understood at the molecular level. Transcriptome and metabolite profiling in rootstock,graft union and scion tissue will improve our understanding of how dwarfing and otherbeneficial traits are conferred, and this will help inform ongoing breeding efforts todevelop new size-controlling tree fruit rootstocks that are better able to acquire waterand nutrients under low-input production systems. Metagenomics is also being usedto understand the causes of ‘replant’ disease, which is a significant problem for fruitproduction in the UK and overseas.

Mushroom research at East Malling

Modern mushroom cultivation is an indoor, highly-intensive and controlled series ofprocesses aimed at growing fungal cells, and so is very different from green crops. Upto nine crops per year are produced in a growing house. A number of mushroomspecies are grown in different countries but in the UK the predominant species grownis the cultivated white mushroom Agaricus bisporus; it is marketed in a range ofproducts including white and brown varieties, and closed, open and Portobello types.The UK mushroom industry annually produces around 70,000 tonnes of mushroomsworth £113M, the largest value of any protected crop. The annual world value of A.bisporus is $4.7 bn.

The first stage of mushroom cultivation is the production of the substrate, mushroomcompost, from which it gains nutrition. Wheat straw is mixed with a nitrogen source,gypsum and water, and the ensuing microbial fermentation under controlled conditionsresults in mushroom compost containing partially decomposed straw embedded inhumic substances. The compost is inoculated with Agaricus bisporus mycelium whichfully colonises the compost after approximately 17 days. The final stage of mushroom

Metagenomics of root and soil communities

is leading to a better understanding of the

microbial composition of different soils and

substrates and has applications in

understanding the causative agents of apple

replant diseases.<

Unclassified

Proteobacteria

Planctomycetes

Firmicutes

Chloroflexi

Bacteriodetes

Actinobacteria

Acidobacteria

Peat(repeat A)

Peat(repeat B)

Green Waste(repeat A)

Green Waste(repeat B)

Peat + ForestGold

(repeat A)

Peat + ForestGold

(repeat B)

100%90%80%70%60%50%40%30%20%10%

cultivation is the manipulation of the environment to stimulate mushroom fruitbodyproduction; the colonised compost is covered with a 55 mm layer casing soil consistingof a peat/sugarbeet lime mix, the growing room temperature is reduced and gasesreleased during fermentation are diluted by the ventilation with fresh air.

EMR are researching all aspects of mushroom cultivation: compost production andquality, mycelial growth, replacement of peat with alternatives, the stimulation ofmushroom production, genomics and mushroom diseases. These approaches have ledto a number of research and development opportunities that can be applied to otherhorticultural crops such as disease suppressive composts, peat replacement, andformulation of growing media.

The Agaricus genome project

An international consortium of scientists from seven countries has been working tocomplete the sequencing and analyses of the Agaricus bisporus genome. Thegenome sequencing was funded by the USA’s Department of Energy, the JointGenome Initiative and the Community Sequencing Program; transcriptomic datawere provided by the UK’s Horticultural Development Company (HDC) and theInstitut National de la Recherche Agronomique (INRA) of France funded much ofthe bioinformatics analysis. The first release of the genome sequence was made in2010 and the scientific paper on the sequence and analysis was published in 2012.The genomes of two A. bisporus strains were sequenced, one a cultivatedEuropean strain and the other isolated from the Sonoran Desert in California, USA.These genomes code for 10,438 and 11,289 protein-coding genes respectively.Analyses of the two genomes reveal that they contain the necessary genes for the

| 28

Intensive mushroom production >

resource efficiency for crop production

| 29

degradation of polymers (lignin, cellulose, hemicellulose and proteins) found indead plant material (e.g. leaves and wood); however this fungus grows poorly ondead leaves unless they are already partially decomposed. Further analysis of thegenome and transcriptome (which genes expressed, where and when) offers amolecular explanation of how A. bisporus grow in the specific niche of partiallydecomposed humic-rich leaves. Compared with other wood- or leaf-degradingfungi, A. bisporus has a larger number of genes specialising in metabolising thetoxic breakdown products of lignin and these genes are ‘switched on’ in thepresence of humic substances. This has led to a proposal for a new econutritionalclassification of fungi degrading humified dead plant material as ’humicolous’. Thehumic niche has environmental importance beyond mushroom cultivation. Humicsubstances are a major component of soil organic matter, so important for soilstructure, water- and nutrient-holding characteristics, and humus also represents alarge proportion of global sequestered carbon, important in carbon cycling andclimate change.

Mushroom morphogenesis

WhenAgaricus bisporus grows and colonises compost it exists as a network (mycelium)of fine filamentous cells known as hyphae. These cells are largely involved in extractingnutrition from the compost by releasing extracellular enzymes to break down thepolymers. If certain environmental triggers are activated the mycelial cells undergo aphase change from vegetative to reproductive growth, resulting in the formation of theedible mushroom fruitbodies. The regulation and physiology of this phase change hasbeen the subject of a collaborative research project involving EMR scientists.

< Transcriptomic comparison of gene

expression levels in infected and

uninfected mushrooms

To stimulate mushroom production in commercial cultivation, colonised compost is firstcovered by a casing soil; and after approximately one week when the casing iscolonised with A. bisporus mycelium, the aerial environment is changed by lowering thetemperature (from 25° to 18 °C) and the ventilation of the growing room. Threeseparate physiological switches have been identified which control mushroomformation by environmental change. Two of the switches are essential while the thirdhas a quantitative effect, producing more or fewer mushrooms. The first essentialswitch is activated by the lowering the levels of 1-octen-3-ol (a natural volatile produceby the mycelium) by ventilation and allows the initial change in cellular behaviour whenthe hyphae grow towards each other and form hyphal knots which later grow intoundifferentiated primordia. These primordia will only differentiate into distinct tissuesand grow into mushrooms when the second switch is activated, which is the loweringof the temperature. Reduction of CO2 levels (due to increased ventilation) activatesthe third but non-essential switch regulating the numbers of mushrooms produced.The ecological explanation of how this control system evolved in the wild is that themycelium is detecting late autumn (when high leaf fall provides new substrate forspores to grow) by perceiving temperature and CO2 (fall in microbial activity after initialdecomposition of leaf), and the 1-octen-3-ol switch is detecting the depth of coveringsoil and possible cracks through which the developing mushrooms can emerge.

Microarray analysis of A. bisporusmycelium has identified 45 genes showing significantchanges in transcript levels during the phase change. These genes can be sorted intothree clusters based on similarity of expression profiles. Common and specific genepromoter motifs are found within each cluster. These findings have enhanced ourunderstanding of the cellular changes, physiological switches and molecularmechanisms associated with the reproductive phase change in mushrooms.

| 30

Agaricus bisporus mycelium culture

applied to compost

>

resource efficiency for crop production

| 31

Visit to CNC in The Netherlands.

Large scale compost production in

action

<

Mushroom casing

The mushroom obtains almost all of its nutrients from the compost layer, but bothcompost and casing layers contribute to the high water requirement of the crop. Thecharacteristics of casing materials are different from those of most other growingmedia, which contain inorganic plant nutrients and are usually kept at lower moisturelevels. To obtain casing for producing high yields of quality mushrooms, the industryis reliant on supplies of wet, deep-dug peat and sugar beet lime (SBL). Mushroomcasing accounts for about 2.5% of the four million cubic metres of peat used annuallyin the UK, and as with other horticultural uses, there is pressure to find alternatives. Thedecline in sugar beet processing in Britain and Ireland has affected the supply of SBL.Research at EMR has shown that several recycled materials have the potential toreplace proportions of the peat and SBL used in casing, providing that the alternativeshave a sufficiently high water holding capacity. Alternative materials include inorganicand composted and uncomposted organic by-products from other industries. Theresearch has identified key air and water holding characteristics of casing materialsthat should enable them to be optimised for mushroom production. Research has alsoshown that by measuring the water status of the casing and compost layers usingelectronic sensors, the reliability and quality of mushroom cropping can be improved.

Mushroom Virus X disease

Outbreaks of mushroom virus X (MVX) occur each year. Economic consequencesinclude yield losses, delayed cropping and reduced mushroom quality (brown,discoloured and distorted mushrooms). MVX is a complex of RNA viruses; at least 30RNA molecules have been separated by gel separation, but these are currently poorly

understood and characterised. EMR is engaged in two projects to characterise theviruses and understand how they move both within the cell and between farms. Theseare funded by Walsh Fellowship, by Teagasc (Ireland) and a European Union FP7-fundedproject entitled “MushTV” in collaboration with 16 research and industry partnersacross Europe, including all major mushroom composters and growers in Ireland,Britain, The Netherlands, Belgium and Poland.

Two genomic technologies are being used: microarrays to examine host (A. bisporus)interactions with MVX and Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) to sequence and thusidentify all of the viruses. The microarray work has shown that the effects of MVX onA. bisporus transcription vary depending on tissue; 32% of genes from mycelia growingon compost change upon MVX infection compared with 15% and 0.7% of genes frommycelia growing on casing or from mushrooms respectively. A large proportion of thenutritional genes in the mycelium growing compost are down-regulated upon MVXinfection, i.e. those encoding enzymes for the breakdown of polymers (cellulose,hemicellulose and lignin).

A highly-sensitive detection methodology for MVX is key for understanding how thedisease moves within and between farms and as an early-warning system. A PCR-basedtest has been devised to detect two of the viruses in compost samples; however, thisis costly due high purification costs to render RNA free from any humic contamination.The Mush-TV project is working to improve this test so as to be able to detect all ofthe viruses (using sequence information from NGS work) and to improve extractiontechnology of RNA from compost.

resource efficiency for crop production| 32

Experiment investigating different

alternatives to peat and sugar beet

lime in mushroom casing

>

| 33

Control of Trichoderma Green Moulds

One of the most serious production problems that affects mushroom cultivation is thatcaused by competitor and pathogenic green moulds (Trichoderma species). Of these,the aptly named Trichoderma aggressivum has caused the most serious buttonmushroom yield and quality losses. So far, a European form, T. aggressivum f.europeum, has been responsible for large crop losses in the UK, whereas a differentform, T. aggressivum f. aggressivum, has caused devastating crop losses in NorthAmerica, and this also remains a continuous threat to the UK. Green moulds are also aserious problem in the cultivation of other types of edible fungi, including oystermushrooms (Pleurotus species) and shiitake (Lentinula edodes). If substrates used forgrowing mushrooms become contaminated with green mould spores or mycelium, themushroom mycelium is rapidly out-competed for nutrients and infected fruitbodiesbecome spotted and unmarketable. Characteristic of Trichoderma species are smallresilient green spores with sticky surfaces which enable them to be easily spread aroundthe farm on air currents, flies, pickers and equipment. The withdrawal of formaldeydeas a gaseous disinfectant and of caustic chemicals for dipping wooden growing trayshas been a particular problem for farms without the facility to steam clean rooms at theend of each growing cycle. Research at EMR is identifying the environmental conditionsneeded to eradicate green mould inoculum during the preparation of the compost sothat it is safe to grow mushrooms. The research is also comparing the efficacy ofpermitted disinfectants in killing inoculum of a range of Trichoderma species, so thatthe best products are used for sanitising mushroom farms.

Green mould on casing surface and

symptoms on mushrooms

<

Organic waste treatment in the control of plant pathogens

Knowledge on the conversion of organic wastes and green mould control in mushroomcultivation has been transferred into plant pathogen control. Research at EMR hasidentified the conditions needed during composting and anaerobic digestion (AD) toeradicate a range of plant pathogens which may be present in feedstock organicwastes. This is particularly important for organisms with hardy resting spores such asPlasmodiophora brassica, the causal agent of clubroot of brassicas. Laboratorybench-scale fermentations are used to simulate the conditions in large-scalecomposting and AD systems. This information on pathogen eradication is then testedin large-scale facilities. As new pests and pathogens are introduced into the UK,information on composting and AD technologies is being utilised in the treatment ofcontaminated plant wastes.

Application to soil or growing media of organic amendments such as composts hasbeen shown to suppress several soil-borne plant diseases. This is usually due to theantagonistic effect of the compost microbiota on pathogens. Research at EMR isinvestigating the suppressive effect of composts on white rot and Fusarium basal rotin onion. Rather than relying on the natural background microbiota in the compost,antagonists such as Trichoderma species are introduced into the soil with the compost,which also provides a nutrient source for the antagonist. Current research isinvestigating the field-scale application of composts and biocontrol agents with theaim of minimising the rates of materials and inoculum required to achieve effectivedisease control.

resource efficiency for crop production| 34

Investigating the effect of

composts and biocontrol agents

on Fusarium and white rot in

onions

<

| 36

The communications team at EMR is responsible for implementing an integratedprogramme of external and internal communications activities. We facilitate theexchange of information from scientific R&D activities, with particular responsibilityfor knowledge exchange with members of the East Malling Research Association(EMRA), and the horticultural and associated industries.

The year as a whole

In association with the expansion of the science team at EMR in 2012, thecommunications team welcomed the arrival of Ross Newham as Head ofCommunications in July. Ross has taken responsibility for communications strategydevelopment and all external and internal communications for EMR. Ross is wellknown in the horticulture and agriculture industries, having previously worked atEast Malling, AHDB Horticulture (HDC) and the NERC Centre for Ecology inWallingford, Oxfordshire.

Ross joined EMR during a busy year for the communications team, which hasorganised 18 visits for over 300 people – twice the number of 2011 – includinghosting a Royal visit in December. The team also organised 11 events for the tradeand public, and three presentations for external organisations. The team havegenerated more than 200 articles in the trade, local and national press andarranged many interviews for radio and TV, including features on national stations.

We have already spent considerable time planning for EMR’s centenarycelebrations in 2013, which will include a commemorative centenary book writtenand produced by former Chief Executive, Dr Mike Solomon. An eye-catching

communications – getting the word out: Ross Newham, head of communicationsDr Ursula Twomey, communications manager

| 37

Visit of Richard Ashworth MEP in December

(left) and The Greenery, Holland in May 2012

and (below) Waitrose buyer visit in July >

exhibit is planned for display at the Chelsea Flower Show, the RoyalBath and West Show and the Kent Show over the early summer. EMRwill hold its first public Open Day for several years on Saturday 14September, and on 6–7 November we will host a Centenary ScienceConference jointly with the Association of Applied Biologists on“Fruits and Roots: a celebration and forward look”. Speakers haveaccepted from USA, New Zealand, Europe and the UK. A series offeatured articles, radio broadcasts, social events and receptions arealso in preparation to mark the occasion.

Finally, a programme of in-house seminars by high profile speakersfrom across the UK science community has been recorded and will be available onthe EMR website. All future events will also be open to EMRA Members.

Visits

In 2012, EMR was delighted to welcome visitors from a range of internationalgroups (Germany, The Netherlands, China, Egypt), national groups (BBSRC, BIFGA,Fresca Group, NFU, International Plant Propagators Society, Society of Biology,Institute of Horticulture, Rural PLC, Waitrose, RHS, National Association of CiderMakers) and local groups (Hadlow Rural Business Development Group), from arange of sectors including horticulture, science, policy, media and education.

Other visits of note included those of The Rt Hon. The Lord Taylor of Holbeach,Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at Defra in February; The Rt Hon. James

Paice MP, Minister of State for Agriculture and Food, who met management fromEMR and the EMT, prior to delivering a speech at Fruit Focus, a major trade eventfor the soft fruit sector held in July; Dr Celia Caulcott, Director of Innovation andSkills, Biotechnology & Biological Sciences Research Council; and Mr MeurigRaymond, Deputy President of the NFU, who visited in November.

In December, EMR hosted HRH The Duke of Kent KG, who had requested a visitto EMR following a discussion with Peter Gregory at the 2012 Chelsea FlowerShow. During his visit His Royal Highness had an opportunity to review some ofEMR’s excellent research in the fields of food, resource sustainability, theenvironment and food storage, before officially launching the Produce QualityCentre, a major new scientific collaboration between EMR and the NaturalResources Institute (NRI), University of Greenwich.

EMR and NRI were joined in celebrating the launch by many dignitaries includingthe High Sheriff of Kent, the Lord Lieutenant of Kent, and the Mayor of Tonbridge& Malling; funding organisations including the BBSRC and HDC; and supportersfrom across the horticulture industry and the East Malling Trust.

This Royal visit was a wonderful way to prepare for the celebration of East Malling’scentenary year.

Events

The year began with an event in the House of Lords organised by the AHDBentitled “Impact on horticulture through collaboration”. EMR was invited to

communications – getting the word out| 38

The Rt Hon. James Paice MP, Minister of State for

Agriculture and Food v Peter Gregory with HRH The Duke of Kent KG v

Mark Else explains aspects

of his research to HRH

The Duke of Kent KG

v

| 39

produce a stand to demonstrate our position and role within the industry. Inaddressing Members of the House, an EMR-led Horticulture LINK-funded projectwas featured as a case study, to highlight the achievements of successfulcollaboration.

On a scorching hot day in July, raspberry research was the focus of EMR’s stand atFruit Focus, showcasing a selection of work in the areas of pest and diseasemanagement and breeding. Delicious samples of the new variety ‘Autumn Amber’were on offer and disappeared very quickly from the stand. The ever-popular farmtours featured raspberry trials from the breeding programme; EM1764, a newJune-bearer strawberry which will be released in 2013 as ‘Malling Centenary’ forEMR’s 100 year celebrations; the second year of melon trials; and the EML/UniVegconcept cherry orchard.

At the National Fruit Show in October, we highlighted the significant, but oftenunrecognised, predatory activity of earwigs in orchards and their role in the controlof important orchard pests such as pear sucker, aphids, etc. Recommended actionsfor growers to help preserve and boost earwig numbers in orchards werehighlighted.

East Malling Research Association (EMRA)

EMRA remains an important avenue for knowledge exchange for EMR. FourMembers’ Days, one more than usual, were arranged and all attracted about 100people. In addition, one plot walk was organised.

Peter Seabrook talks to Ross

Newham at the National Fruit

Show 2012 v

‘Malling Freya’ v

Visitors to Fruit Focus were transported by tractor and trailer to the

stops on the farm tour v

The year’s programme began with an ‘Irrigation Day’ in February, arrangedtogether with the UK Irrigation Association. The event also featured the BewleyLecture which was delivered by Professor Elias Fereres of the University ofCordoba, Spain, on the topic of “Water Productivity in Open and ProtectedCultivation”. A copy of the lecture is available on DVD on request.

February was a busy month as the team also arranged an EMRA ‘Pear Day’ in associationwith English Apples & Pears and Sainsbury’s, which focused on important aspects of theUK pear industry from production to market and consumers.

This was soon followed by the annual EMRA/Marden Fruit Show Society ‘Top FruitStorage Day’ in March. Most of the event focused on scientific, technological andmarketing developments in tree fruit storage and retailing in the UK. In contrast,invited speaker Dr Krzysztof Rutkowski brought delegates up to date with trendsin research and commercial practice for fruit storage in Poland.

Following a promising start to the growing season, a wet June played havoc withthe annual EMRA/HDC ‘Strawberry Walk’, which was eventually postponed untilthe end of the month, attracting 17 members of the industry.

The final event of the year in November was the EMRA/HDC ‘Soft Fruit Day’,which attracted over 100 delegates and seven trade stands.

Reports from the first three Members’ Days of the year have been distributedto members. Two EMRA newsletters containing news and science updatesfrom EMR, EML and EMT were also produced and disseminated.

communications – getting the word out| 40

Bewley Lecture speaker, Prof. Elias

Fereres receiving a thank you gift

from Melvyn Kay, Executive

Secretary, UKIA

>

Prof. Jerry Cross speaks at the Pear

Day in February v

| 41

National Science and Engineering week 2012 v

Public engagement

For National Science and Engineering Week, EMR sponsored and invited 30students from four sixth-form colleges for lectures and hands-on activities. Theevent engaged young adults from the local community with EMR’s science andprovided an opportunity to discuss scientific ideas and their industrial applications.

EMR was invited to take part in a new two-day careers event called “Kent Choices4U” organised by Kent County Council which aimed to help school pupils,parents/carers, college and University students, job seekers and the general publicto explore work and career opportunities. Some of the science conducted at EMRwas showcased, along with the opportunities offered by a career in science R&D.

The communications team arranged talks on the history and science of EMR forthe Dartford Masonic Fellowship, Sevenoaks U3a and Swanley Probus Club.

The Bradbourne House and Gardens Open Day, in aid of the National GardensScheme, raised £632 for charity. In addition to exhibits on plant pathology andfruit tasting from EMR, the Mid-Kent Beekeepers repeated their exhibits from 2011.

Finally, EMR hosted an evening visit from members of the Kings Hill Rotary Club inJune, who left laden with punnets of strawberries from the EMR breedingprogramme.

communications – getting the word out| 42

Michel Roux Jnr on site filming for ‘The Great British

Food Revival’ programme; (above) Gregg Wallace

Media relations

EMR wishes to express their gratitude to agents Maxim PR who, as PR agents forEMR and the EM Trust since 2008, have secured strong media coverage for thescience undertaken at EMR and the application of this work within the horticultureindustry. Since October 2012, all EMR’s PR activity has now been returned in-houseand will be generated by the communications team in the future.

Local, regional and national coverage was achieved through 16 press releases in2012, which promoted subjects across the East Malling Group, including theelucidation of the mushroom genome, the EML/Univeg concept cherry orchard,East Malling Short Courses for trade and amateurs, awards to EMR for theirproduce and staff, VIP visits and new initiative launches.

The team also facilitated filming at EMR with celebrity chef Michel Roux Jnr for thepopular BBC2 programme “The Great British Food Revival” as part of its episodefeaturing the strawberry, and filming has been completed for another major BBCproduction due to be broadcast in 2013.

EMR has encouraged links with overseas colleagues and institutions for many years, but2012 saw an even greater emphasis on international ties to advance its research strategy.

EMR made significant strides in linking with Chinese institutions, signing a formalcollaboration agreement with the Beijing Academy of Agriculture and ForestrySciences (BAAFS) in March. The aim of this agreement is the development of a jointBAAFS–EMR “Sino-UK strawberry Innovation R&D Centre” to evaluate EMRcultivars for production in China, to breed new cultivars for the Chinese market, andto improve the nursery propagation system. Members of BAAFS visited EMR inAugust and Xiangming Xu, Angela Berrie and David Simpson returned the visit inDecember to discuss future collaborative areas in strawberry research, particularlyin pest and disease management.

Xiangming Xu, Adam Whitehouse, Abi Johnson and David Simpson all travelled tothe 7th International Strawberry Symposium in Beijing in January to deliver paperson EMR’s research and to establish new contacts.

Xiangming paid another trip to China later in the year as an invited plenary speakerat the Chinese Society of Plant Pathology annual meeting in Qingdao, while adelegation from the Quingdao Agricultural Commission visited EMR in December.Similarly, Kerry Burton was invited as a plenary speaker to the 18th Congress of theInternational Society for Mushroom Science held in Beijing in August.

Peter Gregory went on a study tour in the USA in April, visiting several researchinstitutes and universities in the USA including the Appalachian Fruit ResearchStation, Kearneysville, West Virginia; the Fruit Research and Extension Center,

international links| 44

2012 saw links forged between EMR and the Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences (BAAFS) v

Biglerville, Pennsylvania; Cornell University, New York; and the Tree Fruit Researchand Extension Center, Washington State University, Washington. This trip allowedPeter to find out about the research being undertaken and the approaches beingdeveloped to improve fruit production systems, to raise the profile of researchundertaken at EMR, and to explore the opportunities for international collaborationon specific research projects. There was a good deal of interest in EMR’s ongoingbreeding of apple rootstocks and in our work on pest control and use of water andnutrients, and Peter anticipates that EMR will be increasingly involved incollaborations with some of the US laboratories.

Jerry Cross also undertook a five-week study tour in the USA and Canada in Augustand early September on the subject of pest management (particularly alien speciesin fruit growing) in the Great Lakes and Pacific Northwest America and Canada. Hevisited 15 research laboratories and sites, and several experimental and commercialfruit farms and pack-houses in Michigan, Oregon, Washington, USA and BritishColumbia, Canada. Jerry held discussions with over 90 researchers and advisorson a very wide range of topics, encompassing the full range from grower practiceto latest research. He gathered a great deal of information on the two mostimportant alien invasive pests which challenge UK fruit growing – the Spotted WingDrosophila (SWD) and the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug. This informationcontributed to the first reported discovery of SWD in the UK by Jerry’s team.

In further interactions with the USA, Xiangming spent two months on a researchsabbatical in Ohio on an OECD-funded fellowship and Michelle Fountain presenteda paper at the 3rd International Lygus Symposium in Scottsdale, Arizona.

| 45

Cotton field in Arizona attacked by Lygus bugs as well as other pests v

Kate Evans, a former tree fruit

breeder at East Malling, now based

in Washington State

In a final international trip this year, Feli Fernández travelled to Stellenbosch, SouthAfrica, to present her work at the 10th International Symposium of the InternationalSociety for Horticultural Science.

Closer to home, Feli is a collaborator in Cherry Cost Action FA1104 and made tripsto Palermo, Italy and Brussels, Belgium, for consortium meetings in 2012. Cost isa long established framework for supporting cooperation amongst scientists andresearchers in Europe. Feli and another colleague, Richard Harrison, also travelledto the Edmund Mach Foundation (IASMA) in San Michele all’Adige, Italy, to presenttheir work, learn new techniques and compare current projects with theirresearchers.

Kerry Burton and members of his team have made trips to Ireland, Belgium and TheNetherlands for consortium meetings, research sampling and establishing contacts forseveral projects on mushroom.  They include a PhD studentship with collaborators inIreland, and a major international collaborative project ‘MushTV’ funded by the EU andthe mushroom industry from the UK, Ireland, Belgium, The Netherlands and Poland,which is looking for solutions for the industry to emerging disease threats fromTrichoderma and virus. Kerry also published a paper on the mushroom genome incollaboration with scientists from the UK, Canada, The Netherlands, France, Finlandand Germany, a genuine collaborative research effort.

EMR is also a partner in the European Interreg-funded project ‘Vegedurable 2’ withcollaborators in France and the UK, and EMR’s lead scientists on the project, JeanFitzgerald and Xiangming Xu, travelled to Normandy to meet with collaborators there.Results from this project will enable growers to increase the sustainability of their crop

international links| 46

The Rubus germplasm collection at IASMA

Discussion over dinner

in Stellenbosch and

(above) a slide from one

of the presentations

production by providing them with the information required to usedifferent strategies to reduce pests and pathogens in their crops.

Researchers at EMR have had a long association with the IOBC (InternationalOrganisation for Biological and Integrated Control of Noxius Animals and Pests) whichpromotes environmentally safe methods of pest and disease control in plant protection.Angela Berrie, Jerry Cross and Michelle Fountain and Jean Fitzgerald travelled tomeetings in France, Turkey and Spain respectively, to attend various IOBC meetingsand working groups and present results to fellow members.

Mark Else and Nicola Harrison visited INRA (French national institute for agriculturalresearch) in Bordeaux, and Mark delivered a seminar.

In addition to these research collaborations, EMR has contracts with several overseascompanies to carry out contract work in breeding and product development. EastMalling’s fruit varieties are grown around the world and we have licensees around theglobe producing and selling plants of our varieties to their local and nearby markets. 

As well as the visits mentioned above, EMR also hosted visits to the site from otherinternational groups in 2012, including groups from Germany (Hardy Nursery Stockadvisors), The Netherlands (co-operative of growers), Egypt (the Agriculture ExportCouncil), and the UK and Ireland (International Plant Propagators Society).

Finally, EMR remains at the heart of training plant scientists from around the world,particularly in fruit R&D, hosting about 15 international students and visiting workersin 2012.

| 47

Licensees of emr varieties:

Australia Flemings pty (Cherry)New Zealand Waimea Nurseries

(Apple Rootstock M116)South Africa Stargrow (M116)Chile ANA (Cherry)USA Spring Meadow 

(Sambucus Black Lace)Canada Ontario Berries

(Raspberry)Switzerland Lubera 

(Raspberry/Apple)

International Interactions 2012

| 48

Refereed journals:

ANTANAVICIUTE L., FERNÁNDEZ-FERNÁNDEZF., BANCHI E., EVANS K.M., VELASCO R.,DUNWELL J.M., TROGGIO M. & SARGENT D.J.(2012). An evaluation of the Malus Infinium wholegenome genotyping array in an apple rootstockmapping progeny. BMC Genomics 13, 203;DOI:10.1186/1471–2164–13–203

BAI T., ZHU Y., FERNÁNDEZ-FERNÁNDEZ F.,KEULEMANS J., BROWN S. & XU K. (2012). Finegenetic mapping of the Co locus controllingcolumnar growth habit in apple. MolecularGenetics and Genomics 287(5), 437–450; DOI:10.1007/s00438-012-0689-5

BRAIN P., STRIMENOPOULOU F. & IVARSSON M.(2012). Analysing electroencephalogram (EEG)data using Extended Semi-Linear CanonicalCorrelation Analysis. Statistics inBiopharmaceutical Research; DOI:10.1080/19466315.2012.681286

BRENNAN A., BRIDGETT S., SHAUKAT ALI M.,HARRISON N., MATTHEWS A., PELLICER J.,TWYFORD A. & KIDNER C. (2012). GenomicResources for Evolutionary Studies in the Large,Diverse, Tropical Genus, Begonia. Tropical PlantBiology 5(4), 261–276. DOI:10.1007/s12042–012–9109–6

DICKS L.V., ABRAHAMS A., ATKINSON J.,BIESMEIJER J., BOURN N., BROWN C., BROWNM., CARVELL C., CONNOLLY C., CRESSWELL J.,CROFT P., DARVILL B., DE ZYLVA P., EFFINGHAMP., FOUNTAIN M.T., GOGGIN A., HARDING D.,HARDING T., HARTFIELD C., HEARD M.S.,HEATHCOTE R., HEAVER D., HOLLAND J.,HOWE M., HUGHES B., HUXLEY T., KUNIN W.E.,LITTLE J., MASON M., MEMMOTT J., OSBORNEJ., PANKHURST T., PAXTON R.J., POCOCK M.,POTTS S.G., POWER E., RAINE N., RANELAGHN., ROBERTS S., SAUNDERS R., SMITH K., SMITHR.M., SUTTON P., TILLEY L., TINSLEY A.,TONHASCA A., VANBERGEN A.J., WEBSTER S.,WILSON A. & SUTHERLAND W.J. (2012).Identifying key knowledge needs forevidence-based conservation of wild insectpollinators: a collaborative cross-sectoral exercise.Insect Conservation and Diversity; DOI:10.1111/j.1752–4598.2012.00221.x

FERNÁNDEZ-FERNÁNDEZ F., ANTANAVICIUTEL., VAN DYK M.M., TOBUTT K.R., EVANS K.M.,REES D.J.G., DUNWELL J.M. & SARGENT D.J.(2012). A genetic linkage map of an applerootstock progeny anchored to the Malusgenome sequence. Tree Genetics and Genomes 8(5), 991-1002; DOI: 10.1007/s11295–012–0478–7

FILIPPO M.D., TRAINI A., D'AGOSTINO N.,FRUSCIANTE L. & CHIUSANO M.L. (2012).Euchromatic and heterochromatic compositionalproperties emerging from the analysis of Solanumlycopersicum BAC sequences. Gene, 499:176-181. DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2012.02.044

FOUNTAIN M.T., HARRIS A.L., XU X.-M. &CROSS J.V. (2012). Timing and efficacy ofinsecticides for control of mussel scale,Lepidosaphes ulmi, on apple using predictivemodels. Crop Protection 31, 58–66

GRANT O.M., DAVIES, M.J., JOHNSON, A.W. &SIMPSON, D.W. (2012). Physiological and growthresponses to water deficits in cultivatedstrawberry (Fragaria × ananassa) and in one of itsprogenitors, Fragaria chiloensis. Environmentaland Experimental Botany 83: 23–32DOI:10.1016/j.envexpbot.2012.04.004

GREGORY P.J. (2012). Soils and food security:challenges and opportunities. In: Issues inEnvironmental Science and Technology No. 35,Soils and Food Security (eds R.E. Hester & R.M.Harrison). The Royal Society of Chemistry, UK, pp1–30

GREGORY, P.J. & MARSHALL, B. (2012).Attribution of climate change: calculated potentialcontribution to increases in potato yield in easternScotland since 1960. Global Change Biology 18:1372–1388. DOI:10.1111/j.1365–2486.2011.02601.x

HALL D.R., AMARAWARDANA L., HILLBUR Y.,BODDUM T. & CROSS J.V. (2012). The ChemicalEcology of Cecidomyiid Midges (Diptera:Cecidomyiidae). Journal of Chemical Ecology38(1), 2–22

Included here are scientific publications, reviews, books or book chapters externally peer-reviewed or edited; similarly edited contributions to learned society proceedings; theses;and articles in the horticultural trade press. Not included in this list are abstracts,presentations (commodity, Members’ or open days, etc.); posters; interim or final reports oncontracts, e.g. HDC, Defra and ‘commercial in confidence’; patents (granted or applied for);plant variety rights (granted or applied for); protein or DNA sequences submitted to onlinedatabases; web page items.

emr: staff publications

| 49HARRISON R.J. (2012). Understanding geneticvariation and function – the applications of nextgeneration sequencing. Seminars in Cell andDevelopmental Biology 23(2):230–6

HASSAN S., COLGAN R., PAUL M.J., ATKINSONC.J., SEXTON A.L., VAN DOLLEWEERD C.J.,KESHAVARZ-MOORE E. & MA J.K.-C. (2012).Recombinant monoclonal antibody yield intransgenic tobacco plants is affected by thewounding response via an ethylene dependentmechanism. Transgenic Research 21:1221–1232;DOI: 10.1007/s11248–012–9595–1

HU X.-P., LI J.-J., WANG J.-T., WANG B.-T., LI Q,KANG Z.-S., XU X.-M., YANG M.-N., PENGT.-G.L., CHEN W.-G. (2012). Race composition ofPuccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici in Tibet, China.Plant Diseases 96, 1625–1620

KRISS A.B., MADDEN L.V., PAUL P.A. & XU, X.-M.(2012). Heterogeneity of Fusarium head blight ofwheat: Multi-scale distributions and temporalvariation in relation to environment. Online, PlantHealth Progress; DOI:10.1094/PHP–2012–0723–01–RS

KRISS A.B., PAUL. P.A., XU X.-M., NICHOLSON P.,DOOHAN F.M., HORNOK L., RIETINI A.,EDWARDS S.G. & MADDEN L.V. (2012).Quantification of the relationship between theenvironment and Fusarium head blight, Fusariumpathogen density, and mycotoxins in winterwheat in Europe. European Journal of PlantPathology 133, 975–993

LI B.-H., MADDEN L.V. & XU X.-M. (2012). Spatialanalysis by distance indices: an alternative localclustering index for studying spatial patterns.Methods in Ecology and Evolution 3, 368–377

MISSELHORN A., AGGARWAL P., ERICKSEN P.,GREGORY P., HORN-PHATHANOTHAI L.,INGRAM J. & WIEBE K. (2012). A vision forattaining food security. Current Opinion inEnvironmental Sustainability 4, 7–17.DOI:10.1016/j.cosust.2012.01.008

MORIN E., KOHLER A., BAKER A.R.,FOULONGNE-ORIOL M., LOMBARD V., NAGYL.G., OHM R.A., PATYSHAKULIYEVA A., BRUNA., AERTS A.L., BAILEY A.M., BILLETTE C.,COUTINHO P.M., DEAKIN G., DODDAPANENIH., FLOUDAS D., GRIMWOOD J., HILDÉN K.,KÜES U., LABUTTI K.M., LAPIDUS A., LINDQUISTE.A., LUCAS S.M., MURAT C., RILEY R.W.,SALAMOV A.A., SCHMUTZ J., SUBRAMANIANV., WÖSTEN H.A., XU J., EASTWOOD D.C.,FOSTER G.D., SONNENBERG A.S., CULLEN D.,DE VRIES R.P., LUNDELL T., HIBBETT D.S.,HENRISSAT B., BURTON K.S., KERRIGAN R.W.,CHALLEN M.P., GRIGORIEV I.V & MARTIN F.(2012). Genome sequence of the button

mushroom Agaricus bisporus reveals mechanismsgoverning adaptation to a humic-rich ecologicalniche. Proceedings of the National Academy ofScience USA , Oct 23 2012 109(43):17501–6.DOW: 10.1073/pnas.1206847109. Epub 2012 Oct8.

NAGY C., CROSS J.V. & MARKÓ V. (2012). Sugarfeeding of the common black ant, Lasius niger(L.), as a possible indirect method for reducingaphid populations on apple by disturbingant-aphid mutualism. BiocontrolDOI:10.1016/j.biocontrol.2013.01.005

NGUYEN C.T.O., BRAIN P. & IVARSSON M.(2012). Comparing activity analyses for improvedaccuracy and sensitivity of drug detection.Journal of Neuroscience Methods 204, 374–378.

O’NEILL T.M., WEDGWOOD E., BERRIE A.M.,ALLEN J. & XU X.-M. (2012). Management ofraspberry grey mould under protection.Agronomy for Sustainable Development, 32,673–682

PINTYE A., ZSOLT B., GÁBOR M., KOVÁCS M.,XU X.-M., EGLER S.E., VÁCZY Z., KÁLMÁN Z.V.,CAFFI T., ROSSI V. & KISS L. (2012). No Indicationof Strict Host Associations in a WidespreadMycoparasite: Grapevine Powdery Mildew(Erysiphe necator) is Attacked by PhylogeneticallyDiverse Ampelomyces Strains in the Field.Phytopathology 102: 707–716

QUIRIN E.A., MANN H., MEYER R.S., TRAINI A.,CHIUSANO M.L., LITT A. & BRADEEN J.M.(2012). Evolutionary Meta-Analysis of SolanaceousResistance Gene and Solanum Resistance GeneAnalog Sequences and a Practical Framework forCross-Species Comparisons. MolecularPlant-Microbe Interactions 25: 603-612. DOI:10.1094/MPMI–12–11–0318

SARGENT D.J., PASSEY T.A J., SURBANOVSKIN., LOPEZ GIRONA E., KUCHTA P., DAVIK J.,HARRISON R.J., PASSEY A.J., WHITEHOUSEA.B. & SIMPSON D.W. (2012). A microsatellitelinkage map for the cultivated strawberry(Fragaria × ananassa) suggests extensive regionsof homozygosity in the genome may haveresulted from breeding and selection. Theoreticaland Applied Genetics 124:1229–1240. DOI:10.1007/s00122–011–1782–6

SAVILLE R. J., GOSMAN N., BURT C. J.,MAKEPEACE J., STEED A., CORBITT M.,CHANDLER E., BROWN J.K.M., BOULTON M.I.& NICHOLSON P. (2012). The 'Green Revolution'dwarfing genes play a role in disease resistance inTriticum aestivum and Hordeum vulgare. Journalof Experimental Botany 63(3): 1271–1283

SCHMIDT S., BENGOUGH A.G., GREGORY P.J.,

| 50 GRINEV D.V. & OTTEN W. (2012). Estimatingroot–soil contact from 3-D X-raymicrotomographs. European Journal of SoilScience 63: 776-786. DOI:10.1111/j.1365-2389.2012.01487.x

SEHIC J., GARKAVA-GUSTAVSSON L.,FERNÁNDEZ-FERNÁNDEZ F. & NYBOM H.(2012). Genetic diversity in a collection ofEuropean pear (Pyrus communis) cultivarsdetermined with SSR markers chosen by ECPGR.Scientia Horticulturae 145: 39–45

SMITH P. & GREGORY P.J. (2012). Climate changeand sustainable food production. Proceedings ofthe Nutrition Society. DOI:10.1017/S0029665112002832

Tomato Genome Sequencing Consortia (2012).The tomato genome sequence provides insightsinto fleshy fruit evolution. Nature 485: 635-641;DOI:10.1038/nature11119

TWYFORD A., KIDNER C., HARRISON N. &ENNOS R. (2012). Population History and SeedDispersal in Widespread Central AmericanBegonia Species (Begoniaceae) Inferred FromPlastome‐Derived Microsatellite Markers.Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society SpecialIssue: Neotropical plant evolution: assembling thebig picture. Volume 171, Issue 1, pp 260–276,January 2013. Article first published online: 6August 2012, DOI:10.1111/j.1095-8339.2012.01265.x

VAN SCHALKWYK A., WENZL P., SMIT S.,LOPEZ-COBOLLO R., KILIAN A., BISHOP G.J.,HEFER C. & BERGER D.K. (2012). Bin mapping oftomato Diversity Array (DArT) markers togenomic regions of Solanum lycopersicum xSolanum pennellii introgression lines. Theoreticaland Applied Genetics 124: 947–956

WALKLATE P.J. & CROSS J.V. (2012). Anexamination of Leaf-Wall-Area dose expression.Crop Protection 35: 132–134

WHITE P.J., BROADLEY M.R. & GREGORY, P.J.(2012). Managing the nutrition of plants andpeople. Applied and Environmental Soil ScienceArticle ID 104826 (13 pages). DOI:10.1155/2012/104826

WISHART J., GEORGE T.S., BROWN L.K.,RAMSAY G., BRADSHAW J.E., WHITE P.J. &GREGORY P.J. (2012). Measuring variation inpotato roots in both field and glasshouse: thesearch for useful yield predictors and a simplescreen for root traits. Plant and Soil. DOI:10.1007/s 11104–012–1483–1

XU X.-M. (2012). Super-races are not likely todominate a fungal population within a life time of

a perennial crop plantation of cultivar mixtures: asimulation study. BMC Ecology, 12:16; DOI10.1186/1472–6785–12–16

XU X.-M., WEDGWOOD E., BERRIE A.M., ALLENJ. & O’NEILL T.M. (2012). Epidemiology ofstrawberry and raspberry grey mould in openfield and under protection. Agronomy forSustainable Development 32, 531–543

Thesis:

HARRISON, N. Phylogenetics of Begonia, SectionGireoudia

Edited Conference Proceedings:

STRINGER1 J., CROFT B., BHUIYAN S.,DEOMANO1 E., MAGAREY R., COX M., XUX.-M. (2012). A new method of statistical analysisfor sugarcane disease screening trials.Proceedings of the 34th Conference of theAustralian Society of Sugar Cane Technologists2012

DEAKIN G.L., DOBBS E., BENNETT J.M., GREENJ., JONES I.M., GROGAN H.M. & BURTON K.S.(2012). Genomic Studies to characterise theviruses of Mushroom Virus X and responses of thehost Agaricus bisporus to infection. Proceedingsof the 18th Congress of the International Societyfor Mushroom Science (Beijing August 2012),329–335

GROGAN H., O’BRIEN M., KAVANAGH K.,DOBROVIN-PENNINGTON A., NIXON T., LANEC. & NOBLE R. (2012). Epidemiology ofTrichoderma aggressivum in bulk phase 3compost for Agaricus bisporus production.Mushroom Science XVIII: Proceedings of the 18thCongress of the International Society ofMushroom Science. China Agriculture Press,Beijing, 336–342

Other publications:

BURTON K.S. (2012). Improvements toMushroom Quality by Reducing Bruising.Mushroom News (the trade publication of theAmerican Mushroom Institute), July 2012, pp 4–7

BURTON K.S. (2012). International MushroomResearch & Development: a summary report ofuseful information gathered for UK mushroomgrowers from two conferences (7th InternationalConference on Mushroom Biology & MushroomProducts Arcachon, France, 4-7 October 2011 andAll Ireland Mushroom Conference and TradeShow 20-21 October 2011)http://www.hdc.org.uk/publication/international-mushroom-research-development

| 51FERNÁNDEZ-FERNÁNDEZ F. (2012). ‘The pathto better berries’. HDC News Issue 182

FERNÁNDEZ-FERNÁNDEZ F. (2012). ‘Investing inour children’. Fresh Produce Journal (October2012)

FOUNTAIN M.T. (2012). Preparing for SpottedWing Drosophilia (Droxophila suzukii) in the UK.HDC Factsheet 11/12

FOUNTAIN M.T. & BERRIE A.M. (2012). HDCStone Fruit Crop Walkers’ Guide

NOBLE R. (2012). Biological agents get to workon onion rots. HDC Field Vegetable Review 2012,p. 16

NOBLE R. (2012). Paper, cardboard and carpetby-products in the mix. HDC Growing MediaReview 2012, p. 15

NOBLE R. (2012). The case for peat substitutionin mushroom production. HDC Growing MediaReview 2012, p. 19

emr: accounts| 52

INCOME 2011/12TOTAL: £4,486,000

EXPENDITURE 2011/12TOTAL: £4,832,000

BALANCE SHEET 31 March 2012

| 53

CHIEF EXECUTIVE

Professor Peter J Gregory BSc PhD Hon. Dr (Debrecen) CBiol FBS FRASE1,2

Personal Assistant: Angela Chapple

COMPANY SECRETARY AND HEAD OF HUMAN RESOURCES

Ian Hardie BSc ACIS

Administration: Sue Sadler

Senior HR Officer: Maddie Neikter HR Assistant: Claire Simmons‡

FINANCE DIRECTOR

Tony Lock BA FCA

Johanna White FCCA‡

Finance Manager: Philip Smith Management Accountant: April Stewart FCCA

HEAD OF COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

Ross E Newham BSc‡

Communications Manager: Ursula Twomey BSc PhD IT Manager: Kevin Jacques

Conrad McGlinn

STATISTICS

Philip Brain BSc PhD‡

Science Programmes:

GENETICS AND CROP IMPROVEMENT

Programme Leader: David Simpson BSc PhD

PEST AND PATHOGEN ECOLOGY FOR SUSTAINABLE CROP MANAGEMENT

Programme Leader: Professor Jerry Cross MA FRES MBPR (Hort) DPhil3

RESOURCE EFFICIENCY FOR CROP PRODUCTION

Senior Programme Leader and Deputy Chief Executive: Christopher J Atkinson BSc PhD†

Programme Leader: Mark Else BSc PhD

emr: staff list 2012

Felicidad Fernández Fernández BSc NSch

Richard Harrison BSc PhD

Abi Johnson BSc

Laura Lewis BA (Oxon) PhD‡

Kirsty McLeary BSc

Andy J Passey BSc

(Daniel Sargent BSc MA PhD)*

Adam Whitehouse BSc

Fiona Wilson BSc

Angela M Berrie BSc MBRP (Hort) PhD

Jean D Fitzgerald BSc PhD

Michelle Fountain BSc PhD

Adrian L Harris BSc MSc DIC

Chantelle N Jay BSc MA PhD

Karen Lower

Thomas A J Passey BSc

Joyce Robinson

Robert Saville BSc PhD

Professor Xiangming Xu BSc PhD4,5,6

Julie Bennett

Gerard Bishop BSc PhD‡

Kerry S Burton BSc PhD

Abi Dalton FdSc

Mike J Davies BSc MSc

Edward Dobbs BSc PhD‡

Andreja Dobrovin-Pennington

Nicola Harrison BSc PhD‡

Clare Hopson

Helen Longbottom BSc

Hayley Mulhall BSc PhD‡

Professor Ralph Noble BSc PhD7

Emma Skipper BSc PhD‡

Eleftheria Stavridou BSc PhD‡

June Taylor BTEC

Karen Thurston BSc

Carol Wagstaff BSc PhD*

| 54 HORTICULTURAL SERVICES – SCIENCE

Manager: Gary M Saunders BSC MPhil

Roger Payne

Maxim Osipovs

Sylvia Rogers

Harry Stevens

PhD STUDENTS

Laima Antanaviciute BSc

Greg Deakin BSc

Antonio Lorente Garcia BSc

Rachel McDonald BSc

Csaba Nagy BSc

Louisa Robinson-Boyer BSc

Woody Rungjindamai BSc

Helen Thomas BSc

Visiting Workers

Tomas Bilcius – Poland (March to November)

Ruben Garcia Claver – Spain (June to August)

David Dockrell – England (May to August)

Gloria Endredi – Hungary (February to January 2013)

Antonio Llorente Garcia – Spain (April to October)

Esther Sala Garrigues – Spain (October to December)

Daniel Li – Germany (October)

Judit Linka (September to December)

Amelia Moore (June to September)

Csaba Nagy – Hungary (March to September)

Alexandrs Ovcinnikovs – Latvia (March to November)

Maria Del Puerto Soria Ramierz – Spain (May to October)

Thomas Sage – England (July to September)

Carlos Perez Santana – Spain (April to October)

Bethan Shaw – England (April to October)

1 Professor of Global Food Security, University of Reading2 Honorary Professor, Universities of Abertay, Dundee, Edinburgh and Glasgow3 Visiting Professor, University of Greenwich4 Honorary Professor, University of Kent5 Honorary Professor, Northwest Agriculture & Forestry University, China6 Honorary Professor, Qingdao Agricultural University, China7 Honorary Professor, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, China

† left during the year to 31 December 2012

‡ commenced post in 2012

* based at Istituto Agrario di S. Michele all'Adige, Italy. Services retained on a part-time basis

** on secondment from University of Reading (one day per week at EMR)

emr: research projects 2012emr project lead given in brackets

| 55

Defra-commissioned projects

Bystander exposure to orchard sprays (J.V. Cross)

Development of improved cultivars to reduce the environmental impact ofstrawberry production in the United Kingdom strawberry genetic improvement(D.W. Simpson)

Development of a methodology to detect and measure the peat content in a bagof growing media (J.D. Fitzgerald)

Development of zero and minimal herbicide regimes for controlling weeds on hardsurfaces and determining their emissions (M.T. Fountain)

Improving the biocontrol potential of entomopathogenic fungi for soil dwellingarthropod pests (J.D. Fitzgerald)

PACE into fruit tree spraying practice (J.V. Cross)

Management of apple scab (X.-M. Xu)

Sceptre – sustainable crop and environmental protection – targeted research foredibles (A.M. Berrie)

LINK-funded projects (consortia)

Biological, semiochemical and selective chemical management methods forinsecticide resistant western flower thrips on protected strawberry (J.V. Cross)

Cherry and plum integrated pest and disease management (J.V. Cross)

Developing biocontrol methods and their integration in sustainable pest anddisease management (IPDM) in blackcurrant production (J.V. Cross)

Irrigation scheduling of substrate-grown raspberry as a tool for improving canemanagement (M.A. Else)

Minimising pesticide residues in strawberry through integrated pest, disease andenvironmental crop management (J.V. Cross)

Optimising field-scale control of Fusarium basal rot and white rot of onion usingcomposts (R. Noble)

| 56 Projects funded by Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council

(BBSRC), Technology Strategy Board (TSB), Chemicals Regulation Directorate

(CRD) and other government sources

BBSRC

Developing a novel platform to determine the epidermal layer transcriptome inplants based on RNA-seq allele-specific expression (BB/I023941/1) (G. Bishop)

CRD

Enhancement of the pathogenicity of entomopathogenic fungi utilising smallmolecule inhibitors (R.J. Harrison)

Factors affecting the development of pesticide resistance in codling moth (R.J.Harrison)

TSB (consortia)

New biofumigation-based approaches to sustainable control of soil-bornepathogens (X.-M. Xu)

Development and validation of molecular markers for resistance to strawberrypowdery mildew (D.W. Simpson)

Projects funded by Levy Bodies

Horticultural Development Company (HDC)

Bulbs and Outdoor Flowers:Narcissus: suppression of Fusarium basal rot using composts amended with specificbiocontrol agents (R. Noble)

Hardy Nursery Stock:Developing optimum irrigation guidelines for peat, reduced peat and peat-freesubstrates (M.A. Else)

Horticultural Fellowship:Succession planning to sustain the UK’s expertise in field and laboratory plantpathology research and development (A.M. Berrie)

Mushroom:Developing new, sustainable mushroom casings in relation to supply of rawmaterials, and mushroom cropping and quality (R. Noble)

Mushroom casings: screening of microbial populations in relation to mushroomquality (R. Noble)

Mushroom: Influence of ammonia during compost pasteurisation and disinfectantson eradication of Trichoderma aggressivum (Th2) (R. Noble)

Review Paper on International Mushroom Research & Development (K.S. Burton)Transfer of mushroom pathogen cultures from liquid nitrogen storage at WarwickUniversity to Fera (R. Noble)

Soft Fruit:Blueberry gall midge sex pheromone monitoring and control with insecticides (J.V.Cross)

Development and validation of a molecular diagnostic test for strawberrytarsonemid mite (J.V. Cross)

Development of temperature degree-based models to predict pest developmenton strawberry for optimisation of control strategies (X.-M. Xu)

Genetics of resistance to Verticillium wilt in strawberry (D.W. Simpson)

Improving water and fertiliser use efficiencies and fruit quality in commercialsubstrate strawberry production (M.A. Else)

Optimising tarsonemid control on strawberry using predatory mites (M.T. Fountain)

Progressive die-back symptoms in blueberry (A.M. Berrie)

Evaluation of acaricides and adjuvants for strawberry tarsonemid mite control (J.V.Cross)

Studentships:Genetic mapping and high throughput phenotying of fruit quality traits in Fragariax ananassa (R.J.Harrison)

Tree Fruit:Apple Crop Walkers’ Guide (M.T. Fountain)

Apple: determining the effectiveness of novel calcium products to increase fruitcalcium, increasing storage potential and potentially reducing bitter-pit (G.M.Saunders)

Apple: studies on Fusarium species causing core rots and storage rots (A.M. Berrie)

Determine the cost benefit of thinning strategies in apple (G.M. Saunders)

Developing water- and fertilizer-saving strategies to improve fruit quality andsustainability of irrigated high-intensity modern and traditional pear production(M.A. Else)

Evaluation and development of new rootstocks for apples, pears, cherries andplums (G.M. Saunders)

Improving codling moth spray timing (J.V. Cross)

Investigation of the effects of commonly-used insecticides on earwigs, importantpredators in apple and pear (M.T. Fountain)

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Modulating the storage temperature for Cox apples for improved quality andcontrol of rotting (A.M. Berrie)

Monitoring scab populations for fungicide insensitivities and races (X.-M. Xu)

Rootstock Breeding Club (F. Fernández Fernández)

Sensitivity of apple powdery mildew populations to triazole and strobilurinfungicides (A.M. Berrie)

Projects funded by the European UnionEU Berry: The sustainable improvement of European berry production, quality andnutritional value in a changing environment: Strawberries, Currants, Blackberries,Blueberries and Raspberries (D.W. Simpson)

Mush TV: Solutions for the mushroom industry to emerging disease threats fromTrichoderma and Virus (K.S. Burton)

Softpest Multitrap: Management of strawberry blossom weevil and Europeantarnished plant bug in organic strawberry and raspberry using semiochemical traps(Core Organic II) (J.V.Cross)

Vegedurable 2: Develop and promote environment-friendly strategies ofintegrated management for a sustainable vegetable production inBasse-Normandie and in Kent (J.D. Fitzgerald)

Projects funded from other sources

Colors Fruit South Africa:

Collaborative apple breeding programme (F. Fernández Fernández)

Cranfield University:

Benchmarking agricultural water use in key commodity sectors (M.A. Else)

East Malling Strawberry Breeding Club (consortium):

Strawberry genetic improvement (D.W. Simpson)

Esmee Fairburn Foundation and Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts:

Good practice on the management of newly-planted woodland (J.D. Fitzgerald)

International Produce:

UK grape trial (G.M. Saunders)

Lubera AG:

Producing seedlings and identifying lines for seedlessness in apple (F. FernándezFernández)

Raspberry breeding (F. Fernández Fernández)

National Association of Cider Makers:

Differences in the susceptibility of cider apple cultivars to scab (X.-M. Xu)

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Superflora BV Ltd:

Improving water use efficiency and environmental sustainability of rose stemproduction in Kenya (M.A. Else)

Sylvan Inc:

Next generation sequencing of Agaricus bisporus to identify variants intranscriptions (K.S. Burton)

Teagasc and University of Reading:PhD studentship: Understanding the biology of Mushroom Virus X by molecularcharacterisation, location and translocation of RNS and their role in diseaseepidemiology (K.S. Burton)

The Worshipful Company of Fruiterers:

Apple replant sequencing (R.J. Harrison)

Pollinating insects for pear (M.T. Fountain)

Univeg

Cherry breeding programme (F. Fernández Fernández)

University of Reading

PhD studentship: Enhancement of Natural Pest Control in Orchards (J.D.Fitzgerald)

In addition to the above funding, the East Malling Trust has made substantial andgreatly appreciated provision towards salaries. Research at EMR has also benefitedfrom grants for overseas travel from the Worshipful Company of Fruiterers and theGlasshouse Crops Research Institute (GCRI) Trust. All this assistance isacknowledged with gratitude.

There are, in addition, numerous individual industry-funded projects, some underconfidential contract.

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East Malling Research, Kent, is located approximately35 miles south east of central London and 45 milesfrom Dover.

By road

From M20:Leave the motorway at Junction 4 – A228, turningsouth towards West Malling and Tonbridge. On theroundabout, follow signs for Tonbridge/WestMalling (A228). At the traffic lights, take the left-hand lane signposted Maidstone/West Malling(A20). Turn immediately right at the traffic lightsonto the A20 east-bound signposted Maidstone,Larkfield, Ditton and East Malling. At the secondset of lights (by the Larkfield Priory Hotel and B&Q)turn right, signposted New Road, East Malling. EastMalling Research is signposted to the left at theedge of the village, just before the ‘King & Queen’public house.

From Maidstone:Leave Maidstone town centre on the A20 LondonRoad and follow it for about 5 miles. After Dittonand Larkfield turn left at the traffic lights signpostedEast Malling, opposite the Larkfield Priory Hotel;thereafter follow directions as above.

From Tonbridge:Follow A26 towards Maidstone, then turn left onthe A228 towards West Malling and Rochester.

Follow the road for about 3 miles, then at the firstset of lights, turn right for the A20, again towardsMaidstone. At the next set of lights, turn right signposted Maidstone, Larkfield, Ditton and EastMalling. Thereafter follow directions as from M20above.

Once inside the gates, please follow the signs to theVisitors’ Car Park and Reception. The car park is located to the rear of the Conference Centre. Onarrival, all visitors please report to Reception, located in the Conference Centre.

Please note that the speed limit on site is 20 mph.

By train

East Malling station is on the main London toMaidstone/Ashford International line, with trainsleaving London Victoria and Maidstone at hourly intervals. The journey from London takes approximately one hour. From the station, walkdown the hill to the crossroads. Turn right and takethe footpath past the church which leads into EMR’sgrounds. Once on the site, follow the road to themain building complex and straight on to EMR’s reception desk located in the Conference Centre.

The walk from the station takes approximately 15minutes.

emr: location

M20Jnct 4

London

EastMalling

East Malling BR

WestMalling

Larkfield

BradbourneHouse

King &Queen

Ditton

Aylesford

A22

8

Maidstone

West Malling BR

Jnct 5

A20

New RoadEast Malling New Road

Ditton

E t M lli BRR

New Road, East Malling,Kent ME19 6BJ

T. +44 (0)1732 843833F. +44 (0)1732 849067

www.emr.ac.uk

Registered Charity 1102243 Company registration 5019373