Analysis of long-term climate records

At SCRI (Mylnefield, Invergowrie) climate records have been kept continuously for the last 50 years which include soil temperatures to several depths. Together with other long-term datasets worldwide, this gives us an opportunity to determine climate trends in Dundee and other regions. This analysis will be extended to examine crop yields and outbreaks of emerging diseases to quantify the existing effects of climate change on current practices.

Contact: Professor David Hopkins

New pests and pathogen threats

Identifying potential threats from new or existing pests and pathogens of plants emerging in Scotland as a result of climate change such as the extended geographic range of Erwinia chrysanthemi (Dickeya spp.) or root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.) or the increasing incidence of vector insects with consequent spread of virus diseases. Knowledge of pathogenicity mechanisms and how these organisms interact with their hosts and the wider environment will be used to deploy environmentally-benign and cost-effective control measures.

Contact: Dr Lesley Torrance

Diagnostics and markers

The composition and geographic distribution of pest and pathogen populations can be affected by changes to the climate. SCRI’s development of quantitative diagnostic assays and genotypic markers has provided the tools to allow us to gain a detailed knowledge of the epidemiology, geographic distribution and population structure of various pests and pathogens. In turn, this has enabled us to develop informed strategies for crop protection and resistance breeding.

Contact: Dr Alison Lees

Figure 1: : Microsatellite markers are being used at SCRI to monitoring the population genetic dynamics of Phytophthora infestans, the cause of Late Blight of potato.