Previous projects
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| Title |
Outline |
Funder |
Links |
| Effect of the composting process on particular plant, animal and human pathogens known to be of concern for high quality end-uses |
This project, in collaboration with Prof. Ralph Noble at HRI, examined the risks of transmission of plant and human pathogens in composted green waste, by reviewing the existing scientific literature and experiments with selected pathogens. |
WRAP |
Review
Final Report
|
| Bacterial pathogen epidemiology using lux/gfp markers |
Bioluminescent marker genes (lux) were introduced into strains of Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris. The marked strains spontaneously emit light when metabolically active which allows them to be tracked in real time using a sensitive CCD camera system. Spread of the lux-marked strains was then followed non-destructively in brassica plants from inoculated seeds to mature flowering plants and pods. |
DEFRA |
|
| Disinfectants for salad washing |
Commercial |
Commercial |
|
| Bacterial Canker of Cherry (Prunus avium): biology, epidemiology, resistance |
This project was concerned with the only two practical approaches to controlling bacterial canker in farm woodland cherries: disease avoidance and disease resistance. Both of these approaches had been limited by a lack of understanding of the pathogen and a lack of reliable and consistent methods. The project aimed to improve understanding of the pathogen, its taxonomy and variation and develop improved methods for detection and discrimination. This was a necessary prerequisite for studies on the epidemiology of this disease in farm woodland cherries to identify the most important sources of infection and for the development and application of improved methods for disease resistance screening. |
DEFRA |
|
| HNS 91 Bacterial diseases of HNS: chemical control |
|
HDC |
|
| Extraction methods for Xanthomonas |
|
ISHI-Veg |
|
| New techniques for genetic improvement of horticultural brassicas |
|
DEFRA |
|
| Organic Seed Production |
This project examined the feasibility and problems associated with production of seed of a range of vegetable crops according to organic standards |
DEFRA |
|
| FV 186a Brassicas: use of copper spray to control Black Rot during transplant production |
Glasshouse trials with weekly applications of copper oxychloride |
HDC |
|
| Black rot of Brassicas: Epidemiology |
Examined spread of Xanthomonas campestris pv campestris in module-raised brassica transplants and in transplanted field crops |
MAFF |
Final Report (Defra website)
Final report (.pdf file)
|
| Improving the quality of salad products |
In collaboration with commercial partners and IFR, this project examined factors influencing discoloration of pre-packed cut lettuce. |
HortLink |
|
| HNS 92 Hedera: Biology and Epidemiology of Xanthomonas leaf spot |
|
HDC |
|
| Spear rot of Calabrese |
Previous work had shown that the primary causal agent was a Group IV Pseudomonas, an organism with pectolytic (soft-rot) enzymes and biosurfactant properties. This project aimed to: (1) make a molecular characterisation of Group IV Pseudomonas and develop a specific and sensitive detection procedure based on a selective/diagnostic medium linked to serological and/or molecular identification systems; (2) test the hypothesis that Group IV Pseudomonas, the causal agent of spear rot, is seed transmitted and that the pathogen has an epiphytic stage before disease expression; (3) develop a control strategy based on disease avoidance through the use of clean seed, monitored by a specific and sensitive detection procedure; (4) make observations on the possible relationship between spear rot and brown bud symptoms in cv Marathon
|
MAFF |
|
| Reference Materials for seed health testing |
In collaboration with researchers at Wageningen, this project developed standardised reference materials for use in seed health testing. Standardised reference materials are stabilised microbial preparations containing a known number of organisms. Such materials are vital for successful and efficient seed test method validation and proficiency testing and can perform an important role in any test QA system. |
EC/MAFF |
Poster |
| Hardy Nursery Stock: Bacterial Diseases (HNS 71) |
Commercial nurseries were surveyed for the presence of suspected bacterial diseases. Disease samples were collected and isolations attempted to confirm the presence of the suspected pathogens. |
HDC |
|
| Aetiology and control of bacterial leaf spot of cherry laurel |
|
MAFF |
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