50 years of research for growers subject of video and publication
Variety development ‘twists and turns’ over the last 50 years have been visualised in a new video animation published by AHDB Cereals & Oilseeds.
AHDB has also published a series of articles, developed in association with CPM, looking at major research successes, conducted for the benefit of cereals and oilseeds growers, since 1965.
The new material has been developed as part of AHDB Cereals & Oilseeds ‘50 years’ celebration.
Varieties: The spice of life
At the Cereals 2015 event earlier this year, AHDB collaborated with BSPB to display a giant variety development timeline charting key plant breeding milestones over the last 50 years.
The timeline has now been brought to life with the assistance of an animated spiralling DNA double helix.
Plant breeding milestones
Events start in 1964 with the establishment of the Plant Varieties and Seeds Act.
This provided a legal framework for the collection of royalties on protected crop varieties.
With plant breeders’ intellectual property secured, it helped fund half a century of varietal improvement.
Ellie Marshall, AHDB Research Manager, said: “The video takes the viewer on a grand tour of breeding milestones of the last half century.
“Cappelle Desprez, for example, dominated the British winter wheat area for 20 years from the mid-1950s.
“It had durable resistance to yellow rust and was widely used by plant breeders during the development of modern wheat varieties.
“In the early 1970s, Maris Huntsman arrived on the scene. Offering a 20% yield advantage over Cappelle Desprez, it became the new market leader.”
Dr Susannah Bolton, AHDB Cereals & Oilseeds Head of Research, said: “We wanted to put on record a selection of evidence-based innovations that have helped keep arable production resilient and able to weather all manner of storms.”
The supplement covers long-term cropping trends, the influence of pre-breeding research on today’s varieties, and the history and vital role of resistance action groups.
CropTec
The new supplement and video have been produced in time for the CropTec event, which takes place on 24 and 25 November 2015.
The AHDB Cereals & Oilseeds stand (A24) features a team of technical experts discussing varietal development, drainage, cost control and grain marketing strategies.
For further information about the evolution of AHDB Cereals & Oilseeds since 1965, see our press release.
Topics
Species
