Crop Physiology - Clarification questions and answers

Question: Please can you clarify what is meant by ‘low inputs’ in this context– is that including herbicides, fungicides and nitrogen? (We ask this question as grassweeds and weed competition are mentioned so we wanted to be clear on the main data requirement from trials – is weed competition data your main requirement?). We are aware of the recent reviews on N and fungicides.

For this project, low inputs refers to reduced or absent herbicide, fungicide and nitrogen applications. Competition with weeds is a key focus of this project, therefore an absence of herbicide applications would be beneficial.

Question: Within the budget available it would be very challenging to establish and manage a whole new network of trials over 2 years, so would data from a pre-existing network be acceptable? This can of course be extended where we feel gaps may be.

Answer: A pre-existing network would be acceptable, with the scope to extend the trials where required to meet the needs of the project

Question: Again, due to the budget available the list of research requirements is quite a challenge in any detail. Would AHDB consider this call just to include the workshop and trials network as say a ‘phase one’ approach to this levy request and then consider a ‘phase two’ approach to then include working with the RL committee and plant breeders? (We have thought about the inclusion of the plant breeders to enhance the project, but initially we feel it would be better to keep the trials independent to ensure we can really focus on the traits aspects).

Because this work will be carried out alongside the additional RL assessments, there will be some engagement from the plant breeders. For clarification, physiological trait assessments on RL trials are outside the scope of this project. The main aim of the project is to align the RL trial assessments with the on-farm trials network. There will be some engagement with the RL committee and plant breeders, but independence will be upheld.

Question: What does ‘low input’ mean? We are keen to ensure that definition of low input farming systems is aligned with that of AHDB.

Question: Could you clarify whether the field trials mentioned should be on-farm tramline trials or small plot trials?

On-farm tramline trials would be preferred.

Questions: Is the goal to add additional information on varieties already on the RL, or to establish new criteria to judge varieties specifically targeted to low input and/or organic systems? The goal would be to gain additional information on varieties already on the RL, but with the scope in the longer term to apply the findings to new varieties and plant breeding programmes.

The results of this work will be reviewed by RL committees and board before any decisions on changing RL processes and systems.

Question: For AHDB, what is the balance between emphasis on development of assessment protocols, establishing which traits are relevant, and comparison of varieties for physiological traits? The practical question for the contractor is how many varieties should be included in a trial?

The key outcome is the development of assessment protocols to ensure alignment with the RL and on-farm performance. The secondary aim is to establish whether the traits identified can be adequately assessed using the RL or if longer term field-scale trials are required. We would encourage responders to propose a number of varieties.

Question: What is currently done and what are the additional crop physiology assessments that are now underway in RL trials?

The current RL trial assessments can be found here: https://ahdb.org.uk/ahdb-recommended-lists-for-cereals-and-oilseeds-2021-2026

The following information is for the additional RL trials that have been put in place this year:

Timings and assessments:

BBCH 21/29 (during tillering) (Approx January)

Establishment (plant population) – a 1-9 score e.g.1 = very thin, 9 = very thick
Ground cover - % cover, visual assessment

BBCH 31/32 (Approx April)

Ground cover - % cover, visual assessment
Biomass score – a visual score on a 1-9 rating where 1 = very weak, 9 = very vigorous – include a record of weeds present at this time and give an indication of weed burden.
Growth Habit - 1-5 scale: 1=erect, 5=prostrate

BBCH 51-59 (Ear emergence) (Approx June)

Biomass score – a visual score on a 1-9 rating where 1 = very weak, 9 = very vigorous – include a record of weeds present at this time and give an indication of weed burden.

Question: Does on farm network mean tramline trials? If not what sort of trials do you have in mind?

Tramline trials would be preferred to plot trials.

Question: The wording of section 4. Budget says funding for ‘both parts of this work’ – please can AHDB make clear what they mean by ‘both parts’?

This is in reference to the 2 growing seasons that this project will span.