Impact of Previous Cropping on Winter Oilseed Rape
Variety trials /
PR519 /
Published: 28 August 2013
This HGCA study explored this rotational constraint and quantified the impact of shorter rotations on yield and margin in a long-term field trial. The experiment was initiated through NIAB TAG at Manor Farm, Morley (Norfolk) in 2003 on an area of land that had not previously grown oilseed rape. |
Adding value to variety trial data: a performance rating for wheat varieties for dry conditions
Variety trials /
PR517 /
Published: 20 August 2013
This is the final report of a 9 month project (RD-2011-3766) which started in April 2012. The objectives of this project were to evaluate the 2011 RL trial yield data by assigning a drought stress index to each test site using site-specific soil and weather data, then to score each variety according to how well it performed relative to other varieties along a gradient of sites from unstressed to stressed. |
Investigation into the specific weight differences between wheat varieties tested in the HGCA Recommended List and commercially-grown crops from 2007–2012
Variety trials /
PR515 /
Published: 19 July 2013
This study compared quality information from HGCA Recommended List trials and from commercial grain samples taken between 2007 and 2012. The aims were to integrate variety quality data collected from these two sources in order to investigate quality differences between varieties tested in the RL and those crops grown commercially and to identify factors which may account for variable specific weight measurements between seasons. |
Survey of current agronomic practices influencing free fatty acid content in oilseed rape during the 2012-2012 season
Variety trials /
PR514 /
Published: 16 July 2013
High levels of free fatty acids (FFAs) in rapeseed oil were a problem in 2012, particularly in Scotland. This research looks at how region, variety, cultivation method, harvest method, drying method and storage method affected free fatty acid levels in oilseed rape during harvest 2012 |
Desk study to evaluate contributory causes of the current yield plateau in wheat and oilseed rape
Genetics /
PR502 /
Published: 13 November 2012
To address the lack of progression in UK average farm yields for wheat and oilseed rape, national yield trends were analysed in relation to cropped area, genetic improvement, weather patterns, economic influences, crop nutrition and protection, plus other aspects of agronomy (project 3760). |
Adapting wheat to global warming (ERYCC)
Genetics /
PR496 /
Published: 18 July 2012
In future years, UK wheat is likely to be grown under earlier and more frequently stressed conditions due to climate change. In this project, 64 UK, French and other elite varieties (the ERYCC panel) released between 1953 and 2008 were characterised to inform breeders of trait sources and trends associated with adaptation of wheat to these conditions. Dates of key growth stages, yield stability traits (e.g. stem reserves, ear fertility) and yield determining traits were measured in nine experiments in Eastern England between 2008 and 2010, augmented by data from a further six experiments between 2007 and 2010. Specific additional experiments tested the 64 varieties responses to vernalisation (using a breeders vernalisation chamber) and photoperiod (using daylength extension lamps in the field), and the varieties were typed for major genes controlling height and responses to vernalisation and photoperiod. |
Cereals for bioethanol: quantifying the alcohol yield of UK hard wheats and the grain yields and N requirements of triticale in the second cereal position
Industrial uses /
PR478 /
Published: 14 September 2011
This project is the first to consider the performance of hard wheat varieties for bioethanol production in the UK. It is also the first to describe a series of experiments in which modern winter wheat and triticale varieties have been studied under comparable conditions of nitrogen (N) nutrition and crop management. This latter work was carried out in the context of identifying the best cereals for bioethanol production, particularly in the second position in the rotation. |
Improving water use efficiency and drought tolerance in UK winter wheats
Variety trials /
PR476 /
Published: 5 July 2011
A genetically diverse set of 120 wheat varieties was evaluated for drought tolerance (DT) under irrigated and managed drought conditions in the field. There was significant variation for DT, water use efficiency (WUE), yield potential and yield stability. Although the ranking of varieties differed with each year, several varieties showed consistently better than average DT, and another set poorer than average. There was significant variation between varieties for anatomical and physiological traits associated with performance under water-limited conditions.
The full technical report for this project will be available at a later date. |
Hulless barley for functional food
Feed and food safety /
PR472 /
Published: 14 September 2010
Under-utilisation of barley as a human food in the UK is potentially a missed opportunity for public health as components of barley grain, especially beta-glucan soluble fibre, have the proven ability to ameliorate diet-related health problems, including obesity, type-2 diabetes and high cholesterol. |
Novel Resources for Oilseed Rape Breeding Improving Harvest Index (NOVORB-HI)
Genetics /
PR465 /
Published: 21 June 2010
At the end of the season, the proportion of harvested product relative to the total above-ground biomass of the plant is termed the Harvest Index. |
