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91�� leads the Horizon Europe project PhytoPRISM

Wed, 10 Jun 2026 13:45:54 GMT

Every year, plant pests destroy up to 40% of global agricultural yields, threatening food security, biodiversity and forestry systems. Led by Stephen Parnell, the new €6 million Horizon Europe project PhytoPRISM brings together 15 partners across eight countries to develop the first platform capable of coordinating pest management across the entire agri-food chain. By combining advanced epidemiological modelling with real-world expertise, the project will help plant health authorities make smarter, faster and more cost-effective decisions to protect crops and build more resilient food systems across Europe.

£1 discount on product swaps shifts UK shoppers towards greener food choices

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 11:30:43 GMT

We're Hiring - Assistant Professor x6

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 09:20:45 GMT

91�� Crop Centre is pleased to highlight six new Assistant Professor opportunities within the School of Life Sciences at the 91��. The posts include opportunities for researchers specialising in Plant / Crop Science and Environmental Biology, offering the chance to contribute to internationally recognised research and teaching.

Successful candidates will join a vibrant academic community with access to outstanding facilities, strong interdisciplinary collaborations, and close links with industry and the agri-food sector.

Applications are now open, with a closing date of 31 May 2026. Find out more and apply via the 91�� vacancies page.

Coordinating Innovation for UK Horticulture - Scoping Project

Tue, 31 Mar 2026 14:53:25 GMT

Improving coordination across UK horticulture could unlock significant benefits for the sector. While strong grower-led networks and collaboration already exist, greater alignment of funding, clearer sector direction and better visibility of activity would help reduce duplication and strengthen impact. A more joined-up approach can help support innovation, resilience and long-term growth across fresh produce production.

A Business Case for Horticulture

Wed, 18 Mar 2026 09:59:00 GMT

Expanding the UK's edible horticulture sector presents a strong opportunity to boost economic growth, strengthen food security, and deliver environmental and public health benefits. Increasing domestic production of fruits, vegetables, and legumes would reduce reliance on imports while generating billions of pounds in economic value and supporting thousands of rural jobs. At the same time, horticultural crops are often resource-efficient and nutrient-dense, helping to lower the environmental footprint of food production while improving access to healthy diets. Strategic investment and coordinated policy support will be key to unlocking the sector's potential and building a more resilient, sustainable UK food system.

Read the full paper here

91�� Crop Centre Researchers Contribute to Major International Study on Seed Conservation

Tue, 17 Mar 2026 11:08:44 GMT

91�� Crop Centre researchers Sarah Trinder, Charlotte Allender and Nick Fenby have contributed to a major international study recently published in Plants, People, Planet.

The study represents a large-scale collaborative effort to understand strategies for conserving seeds, a critical component of global food security. As part of the research, data from the UK Vegetable Gene Bank (UKVGB) were used to analyse genetic diversity and inform conservation approaches for vegetable crops.

This work highlights the importance of international collaboration in safeguarding plant genetic resources and provides insights that will help improve seed conservation strategies worldwide.

Read the full paper here

The Fresh Produce Knowledge Exchange Hub is Now Live

Mon, 05 Jan 2026 14:45:00 GMT

91�� Crop Centre is proud to announce the arrival of the Fresh Produce Knowledge Exchange Hub. The site brings together a range of trusted, relevant articles and resources to support all horticultural needs. It has been designed for growers, advisors, researchers and industry professionals, providing a central place to access crop-specific knowledge across fresh produce sectors, helping to connect research with real-world practice.

Click here to explore the hub

The recording of the Elizabeth Creak Distinguished Guest Lecture “Food security or food resilience? Unravelling the links, interests and challenges” by Prof Tim Lang is now available

Fri, 28 Nov 2025 16:32:00 GMT

Dave Chandler on the Instant Genius: The future of Food Podcast

Mon, 17 Nov 2025 09:27:00 GMT

As part of a four-part miniseries, Future of Food, Dr Dave Chandler, a crop researcher and agricultural scientist based at the 91��, 91�� Crop Centre tells the podcast how current global food production practices are one of the most significant drivers of environmental damage and biodiversity loss, how climate change is threatening our ability to grow fresh produce to put on our plates and details some of the current thinking on how we can ensure the future of food production worldwide.

The Future of Food: Earth is heading for a food emergency: Can we stop it?

PhD Opportunity

Wed, 22 Oct 2025 11:13:00 GMT

CASE: Assessment and engineering of the Brassica self-incompatibility locus to enhance seed production

91���� Crop Centre » News

91���� leads the Horizon Europe project PhytoPRISM