These ongoing projects relate to the work that HGCA has commissioned in relation to cereal crop management.
Click on the titles for an upshot of the problem to be addressed, the aims, the approach and the benefits to the industry. Also will be attached the latest information in the form of Annual Project Reports (APRs) or Interim Reports.
RD-2004-2976 Identification of genetic markers for lodging resistance in wheat.
This project aims to identify QTLs (Quantitative Trait Loci) for stem and anchorage strength, which breeders could use to effect a step improvement in lodging resistance.
RD-2004-3084 Optimising fertiliser nitrogen levels for modern cereal crops.
This project aims to provide evidence of the extent to which optimum amounts of fertiliser N for new, high-yielding varieties of winter wheat and spring barley differ from those for the lower yielding varieties used in the 1980s to develop national fertiliser recommendations (e.g. in RB209).
RD-2005-3233 Improving water use efficiency and drought tolerance in UK winter wheats
This project proposes to address breeders' short/medium term pre-competitive needs by providing the means for selection for water use efficiency (WUE) and drought tolerance.
RD-2006-3285 Detecting soil nitrogen supplies by canopy sensing – proof of concept
Now published as Project Report No: PR427
RD-2006-3291 Improving cereal production by adjusting plant growth regulator inputs and the timings of nitrogen applications based on measurements of crop canopy characteristics
To examine strategies for adjusting the application of plant growth regulators and the timings and splits of nitrogen fertiliser applications based on information collected using boom mounted sensors. These strategies will aim at minimising the risk of lodging whilst also minimising growth regulator use.
RD-2007-3375 Soil and grain nitrogen analysis to provide up to date Scottish data to aid revision of N fertiliser guidelines
The project aims to generate contemporary data on effects of nitrogen input on crop yield, grain nitrogen and soil N reserves, to aid revision of Scottish NVZ guidelines.
Please click here to see publications that have arisen out of finished projects. | 
