The project aims to improve the resilience of types in UK soft fruit plants

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An exciting five-year project, supported by Defra and worth PS3 millions, slated to boost breeding for soft fruit varieties within the UK by establishing the Soft Fruit Genetic Improvement Network (GIN). This program is intended to utilize innovative biotechnological techniques as well as accumulate vast genetic data as well as resources. The goal is to help breed plants that are not just better suited to sustainability but also more durable.

NIAB is the main force behind this project working closely with James Hutton Institute and ADAS. The initiative is a continuation of the method of research previously used to important agricultural crops such as pulses, oilseed rape and wheat. The focus is on the genetics that pre-breed vital traits and the development of cutting-edge breeding methods.

The program of research focuses on the development of understanding about genetics in relation to disease and pest tolerance as well as improvement in the efficiency of nutrient and water use in raspberries and strawberries. In addition, the program will study methods and genetic resources to improve the under-exploited soft fruits including honeyberry and blackberry, in order for the purpose of assessing their potential to scale for the UK.

The majority of the fruit consumed in the UK imports This research seeks to cooperate with the industry in order in breeding environmentally sustainable varieties with greater efficiency which could increase production in the country. Prof. Xiangming Xu of NIAB highlighted this project’s compatibility to The Genetic Technology (Precision Breeding) Act and emphasized the need for the creation of more resilient plants with smaller environmental footprint. Dr Julie Graham of the James Hutton Institute highlighted the significance collaboration between researchers and industry in utilizing genes and genomics tools to aid in the development of novel varieties that can make a profit and produce high-quality products and need minimal inputs, and are able to withstand a variety of stressors. This group is set to bring together expertise to improve breeding methods and boost UK production.

The study began in summer of 2017 and will be ongoing up to 2029.

Source: Farming UK

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Source: The Plantations International Agroforestry Group of Companies