1. Professor Simon Bright
Research supporting the horticulture industry: leveraging the science base
Professor Simon Bright

2. Warwick HRI: A Department of the University of Warwick
Plant, crop and environment research component of Life Sciences research at Warwick
Legacy of horticulture research since 1949
National capability in horticulture relating to field vegetables, ornamentals and glasshouse crops
Underpinning breeding and crop production
PhD, Masters and Undergraduate teaching
45 Academic Staff
Total 200 staff
~£10M/yr research grant and contract income

3. Skills development http://go.warwick.ac.uk/whri/study
60 PhD students in plant science, crop science, agronomy and environment
Masters students in environmental bioscience, horticulture and business
Undergraduate students in Environmental biology

4. Genetic Resource Unit
International gene bank holding World collections for:
Brassica
Lettuce
Alliums
Carrot
>13,000 accessions in long-term storage at -200C

5. Examples of research impact
Hybrid leeks
80% of UK crop
Uniformity, quality, value
Reduced waste
Onion waste treatment
Composting and soil incorporation uses 30,000 tonnes of waste
Better than chemical control of white rot disease

6. Renewed focus on horticulture
Help to deliver
Healthy diets
Sustainable UK production
Global food security
Strategic research capacity eroded over 25yrs
Skills, Infrastructure, Resources
Fundamental science progresses apace

7. New energy from funders
Leverage fundamental science
New BBSRC strategy in Food Security
Impact from linkage and co-investment
Industry Partnership Awards, Industry Clubs, CASE studentships, Knowledge Transfer Partnerships,
Warwick participates with multiple industry partners
Skills in translational sciences
Technology Strategy Board
£75M Innovation Platform in Sustainable Agriculture & Food
First call in Crop Protection

8. Funding pays off in development agriculture
3.5%
Biotech breeding?
Rapeseed
Green revolution
Wheat
Soya
Yearly
Yield
Increase
Paddy rice
Maize
Cotton
Barley
Sorghum
Dry Beans 3%
Yearly Yield Increase
After H Braun, CIMMYT, J Snape JIC

9. Conclusions Positive political drive on food supply
Will this lead to funding displacement or to new investment in horticulture research?
Key requirements are recognised
More funding and continuity
More joined up
University sector has capability to respond to the challenges of translational and skills
But has multiple pressures and drivers
Industry engagement and drive will be crucial