Details of Award
NERC Reference : NE/J016985/1
[AGRIFOOD] Balancing food security and biodiversity - are fungi the answer?
Training Grant Award
- Lead Supervisor:
- Professor D Cameron, University of Sheffield, Animal and Plant Sciences
- Grant held at:
- University of Sheffield, Animal and Plant Sciences
- Science Area:
- Terrestrial
- Overall Classification:
- Terrestrial
- ENRIs:
- Biodiversity
- Environmental Risks and Hazards
- Natural Resource Management
- Science Topics:
- None
- Abstract:
- Food security is rapidly emerging as a key issue in the 21st century. Globally, there is increasing demand for food production due to expanding human populations combined with socio-economic factors. Agricultural production is struggling to keep pace with demand as the former is limited by a reduced supply of some key inputs, such as phosphorous fertiliser, and increasing erosion of the capacity of ecosystems to support agricultural activities. Agricultural production in Europe will be further limited by the forthcoming ban on the use of many key pesticides. Mycorrhizal associations, characterised by carbon for nutrient exchange between plants and fungi, are now recognised as potential solutions for sustainable agriculture that can enhance plant uptake of key nutrients, including phosphorous, and provide non-nutritional benefits such as enhanced plant disease resistance. Despite their benefits for food production, modern agricultural practices, such as the application of large quantities of inorganic fertilisers, fungicides and tillage have combined to reduce mycorrhizal abundance, diversity and function in agri-ecosystems. The apple production industry has recently recognised the value of mycorrhizas in orchard management leading to industry-level drive to evaluate the potential benefits of mycorrhizal fungi for crop production in orchards and their sustainable management. This CASE studentship will be the first rigorous assessment of the potential for developing sustainable high yield apple production systems through promoting mycorrhizal fungi. The studentship will use a multifaceted approach to quantify the impacts of orchard management on mycorrhizal fungi assemblages using state-of-the-art methods to resolve mycorrhizal diversity and to link this with above ground diversity and management practices testing the hypothesis that apple orchard management limits the diversity of mycorrhiza assemblages and resolving the relationship between apple yields, disease incidence, botanical biodiversity and mycorrhizal diversity across both conventional and organic management systems. The CASE partner, Heineken UK Ltd., is the largest user and producer of cider apples in the UK and globally. Since Heineken UK took over Scottish and Newcastle and its cider company, Bulmers, it has maintained Bulmers' commitment to supporting an environmentally sustainable supply chain, working with the National Association of Cider Makers (NACM) and the wider cider industry. Heineken UK's commitment to sustainable agricultural systems has lead to its investment in a diverse portfolio of projects focusing on sustainable food production. Development of environmentally sustainable agricultural systems are central to Heineken UK's food security policy as well as to the cider industry in general. Indeed, Heineken UK has embraced the potential for mycorrhizal fungi to provide apple trees with nutrients and for disease prevention and thus reduce chemical inputs, and commissioned a strategic review of the current knowledge of the use of mycorrhizas in agri-ecosystems which has resulted in the development of this proposal. Heineken UK is uniquely placed to disseminate research findings to end users through its extensive contact networks, particularly through National Association of Cider Makers, HONE and Environmental Sustainability KTN. This will greatly enhance the knowledge exchange resulting from this studentship, and thus the impact of the research. In so doing, the student will also receive training in how to communicate research results to a wide range of stakeholders.
- NERC Reference:
- NE/J016985/1
- Grant Stage:
- Completed
- Scheme:
- DTG - directed
- Grant Status:
- Closed
- Programme:
- Open CASE
This training grant award has a total value of £74,430
FDAB - Financial Details (Award breakdown by headings)
| Total - Fees | Total - Student Stipend | Total - RTSG |
|---|---|---|
| £13,812 | £48,285 | £12,334 |
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