For the first time this crop can be exploited as a new source of high quality protein in the UK and allows our farmers to compete for the 350M market for imported soya products. More discoveries are being prepared for commercialisation. Genetic transformation of wheat has been led by scientists at IACR and in some genotypes it is now routine. It is being used to try to improve bread making as well as carbon and nitrogen use efficiency of wheat. Significant commercial partnerships are being developed.
Gibberellins regulate growth, flowering and germination.
IACR has cloned a pivotal enzyme and transformed plants have been produced. This has supported a patent filing and demonstrated an alternative to chemicals for controlling plant growth. The viability of willows as a promising new energy crop is threatened by rust disease. High quality potatoes required by both processor and supermarket retailer have been achieved to a large part by the IACR's understanding of fungal pathogens, design of optimal control strategies through chemical and cultural methods and transfer of this technology to the industry. The approach has already found application and will have significant impact on agroecology in temperate and tropical agricultural systems.