Award details

Winter chilling in blackcurrants: adapting to climate change, through the development of technologies for improved dormancy release

Reference	BB/M026205/1
Principal Investigator / Supervisor	Professor Jeremy Cross
Co-Investigators / Co-Supervisors	Dr Emma Skipper
Institution	East Malling Research
Department	Science
Funding type	Research
Value (£)	230,772
Status	Completed
Type	Research Grant
Start date	01/02/2015
End date	31/01/2016
Duration	12 months

Abstract

This project addresses the effects of climate change in the UK on blackcurrant production, where the trend towards warmer winters has adversely affected dormancy break and subsequent crop yields and quality, substantially reducing profitability. The use of existing dormancy-breaking treatments, developed for other crops, will be assessed for their efficacy in blackcurrant, their use optimised, and their mode of action evaluated at a physiological/biochemical level. From this, a new improved product for blackcurrant and 'best practice' guidelines for growers can be developed. Additionally, models predicting responses to the chilling environment for different cvs. will be established, and this information will be used to direct the use of dormancy-breaking treatments to improve yield and quality. The project outcomes will directly influence future blackcurrant production in the UK, and will also be applicable to other perennial fruit crops, many of which have high chill requirements.

Summary

This project addresses the effects of climate change in the UK on blackcurrant production, where the trend towards warmer winters has adversely affected dormancy break and subsequent crop yields and quality, substantially reducing profitability. The use of existing dormancy-breaking treatments, developed for stone fruit crops, will be assessed for their efficacy in blackcurrant, their use optimised, and their mode of action evaluated at a physiological/biochemical level. From this, a new improved product for blackcurrant and 'best practice' guidelines for growers can be developed. Additionally, models predicting responses to the chilling environment for different varieties will be established, and this information will be used to direct the use of dormancy-breaking treatments to improve yield and quality. The project outcomes will directly influence future blackcurrant production in the UK, and will also be applicable to other perennial fruit crops, many of which have high chill requirements and are most productive after cold winters.

Impact Summary

The proposed work has both fundamental and applied aspects, and there is a clear programme for close linkage and translation between these categories. It will contribute most importantly to the improved and sustainable production of blackcurrants in the UK, within the context of a changing climate. The development of a new dormancy-breaking treatment has very large potential impact across a range of woody crop species, and will also generate considerable income for the various downstream industries. On a more fundamental basis, the project will deliver considerable knowledge of the mechanisms by which woody crop plants respond to temperature, and how these can be amended in various climate scenarios. This will be used to inform future blackcurrant breeding strategies, which in turn can provide a model for other crop improvement programmes. The impact on the public will be through the continued availability and diversification of processed blackcurrant products, based on UK production. The overall impact of the project should demonstrate the effectiveness of the multidisciplinary approach of the work and the project team, leading to a successful translation of scientific developments to industry.

Committee	Research Committee B (Plants, microbes, food & sustainability)
Research Topics	Crop Science, Plant Science
Research Priority	X – Research Priority information not available
Research Initiative	Agri-Tech Catalyst (ATC) [2013-2015]
Funding Scheme	X – not Funded via a specific Funding Scheme

Associated awards:

BB/M026205/2 Winter chilling in blackcurrants: adapting to climate change, through the development of technologies for improved dormancy release

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