Scottish Crop Research Institute (SCRI) is the sole UK establishment with the expertise and facilities to produce pathogen tested (PT) foundation stocks of Rubus, Ribes and Fragaria. SCRI is an international centre for the supply of such PT germplasm for scientific and commercial use worldwide. Because of its reputation and integrity in this capacity, SCRI has special relations with several countries whereby their strict quarantine regulations are relaxed for material originating as PT stock from SCRI. In addition to production of PT stocks, the Institute can also offer a full range of pathogen testing services for Rubus, Ribes and Fragaria. These range from testing for a single pathogen to testing for the full range of pests and diseases affecting these stocks. A new website, www.fruithealth.co.uk, is launched to streamline this process and allow sponsors to track their test results.

A prime role of SCRI is to provide the industry with high health soft fruit plants for propagation. Pathology testing is applied to provide mother plants that are then maintained in ‘state of the art’ glasshouses. The Institute’s pathology testing uses the best tests available, many of which were first devised at SCRI, to screen for a variety of fungal, bacterial and viral diseases and nematode pests of Rubus, Ribes and Fragaria. The mother plants provide planting material for propagation into the UK soft fruit industry.

SCRI maintains (a) the SEERAD high health status germplasm collection, (b) a collection of SCRI varieties, (c) high health status material held for commercial sponsors, (d) material for breeding programmes and (e) material in quarantine. 

Benefits of the new system

To maintain SCRI’s high international reputation in the area of soft fruit pathogen testing, the Institute strives to make new advances in terms of providing these services.  The database provides a secure means of recording the test data, and is of assistance in improving the Quality Assurance of the scheme. Furthermore, the web site provides complete commercial confidentiality and security thus allowing commercial sponsors to have ‘fast track’ access to the information on the progress of their plants at any time.  It also provides some promotional aspects for the testing services. 

The preliminary database and web site was demonstrated at SCRI’s ‘Fruit for the Future’ event, and ‘Fruitfocus’ at East Malling in Kent in the summer.  The initial response from a number of sponsors at these events was very favourable, and they thoroughly supported the concept.  The final version was completed and put onto an external web server in November, and is now fully functional.

The database and web site developed has met and exceeded initial expectations for what could be achieved.  Highly complimentary comments have been already received from internal and external sponsors, and it is expected that in time the system will be of great use to the soft fruit industry. International organisations have also expressed interest in the site and tests provided.

SCRI increases knowledge in plant and environmental sciences. The research is focussed on plants to improve the understanding of processes that regulate their growth and response to pests, pathogens and the environment. This includes understanding genetics to breed crops with improved quality and nutritional value as fast as possible. By understanding the plant’s response to pests and diseases and how they react to the soil, air and water around them, environmentally friendly methods of protecting crops from the ravages of pests, diseases and weeds can be designed.

SCRI is grant-aided by the Scottish Executive Environment and Rural Affairs Department (SEERAD), conducts research consistent with SEERAD policies and has charitable status. SCRI is one of the five Scottish Agricultural and Biological Research institutes (SABRIs) which, together with those of the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council, form the agricultural and food research service of the UK.