Landraces of different crops are still preferred due to their stable yields under low inputs and adverse climatic conditions to which most modern varieties are not adapted. In the UK, a landrace of barley called Bere is currently grown in extreme climatic conditions of Orkney to which most of the modern varieties are not adapted. Although this landrace is probably the oldest barley under cultivation in the UK, very little research has been conducted. In this paper the effects of nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium, plant growth regulator and artificial lodging on grain yield and quality of Bere were investigated in the Orkney’s short growing season. Higher nitrogen application resulted in a higher lodging incidence but grain yield was not reduced by the severity of lodging. The artificial lodging applied at Zadoks growth stage 77 resulted in the greatest yield losses which indicated that control measures may be required to avoid lodging at this critical growth stage. Phosphorous and potassium had no significant effect on lodging resistance. Whilst plant growth regulator improved lodging resistance it was less effective in controlling lodging at the highest nitrogen level (90 kg ha-1). The trials indicated that higher level of N caused marginal increase in grain yield when nitrogen level was raised from 45 kg to 90 kg ha-1. This tended to suggest the use of medium N-level (45 kg N ha-1) for producing Bere. Plant growth regulator increased lodging resistance but had an inconsistent effect on grain yield. This study recommended the use of plant growth regulator as a means of easing harvesting rather than for enhancing yield and quality. The study concluded that phosphorous and potassium could be used to improve disease resistance and grain yield but not for lodging control.

The effects of dose and the timing of the application of three different types of plant growth regulators on lodging and grain yield of a landrace of barley (Bere) were investigated. Results indicated that the application of full dose of plant growth regulators at Zadoks growth stage 31 had improved lodging resistance by reducing the stem length. Amongst plant growth regulators Upgrade caused the highest reduction in stem length and lodging index compared with other plant growth regulators while Adjust was the least effective plant growth regulator. The results indicated that Upgrade was less effective in lodging control at the higher nitrogen level (90 kg ha-1). Although this plant growth regulator improved lodging resistance, grain yield was not enhanced in any of the trials. This outcome was due to a delayed lodging and/or absence of severe lodging in the control plots. Further investigations on the effect of timing of lodging incidence on grain yield would be useful extension of the present study. A separate trial investigating the effectiveness of Upgrade in lodging control under a range of nitrogen levels is recommended.

To investigate whether the fertilizers N, P or K individually affect plant growth, oil content and the gender of sweet gale, two trials, pot and field trials, were carried out at Orkney College UHI in Scotland. A pot trial was established with eight soils which were collected from different sweet gale trial sites in the north of Scotland. Although neither shoot yield nor oil concentration in shoots was affected by soil, there were significant differences in shoot yields as a result of fertilizer treatments (nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K) or none (control)). The best yield was obtained from the N treatment which was double to that of the control and P treatments. N, P or K fertilizers did not consistently affect shoot oil concentration in two seasons; however, oil yield was significantly affected, and N treatment produced two-three fold oil yield increases compared with the control or P treatment. In the N treatment, the increase in shoot yield was positively correlated with total nitrogen or nitrate nitrogen in the soil, suggesting the occurrence of a nitrogen priming effect. Data suggested that as shoot yield increased the oil concentration in shoots decreased. Neither soil nor N, P or K fertilizers had a significant effect on oil composition. Amongst fertilizer treatments, P resulted in the largest number of plants changing gender from female to male. A field N trial confirmed that nitrogen significantly enhanced the shoot yield of young plants.

Sweet gale (Myrica gale L.) is a common shrub in the wetter parts of north-west Europe, north America and Asia. An oil obtained from shoots of Scottish plants has been included in cosmetic products but, as a result of the high costs of wild harvesting, the potential for growing sweet gale as an agricultural crop is being investigated. Six trials, comparing three weed control treatments (no weeding, herbicide and herbicide plus mulch) were planted and monitored at different sites in northern Scotland from 2008 to 2010. Good weed control was critical for plant survival and growth and was most effectively achieved with herbicide plus mulch and this treatment indicates the potential of the crop. By 2010, averaged across sites, plant survival was highest (63%) in this treatment and fresh weight shoot yields (0.75tha−1 and 35.4gplant−1) and oil yield (1.38Lha−1) were all significantly (P<0.05) higher than in the other treatments. These yields are higher than those reported for wild harvesting, but at the best site, yields were about 4 times the average, showing the importance of good site selection. Soil water content was significantly (P<0.05) higher in the mulch treatment down to about 30cm depth through most of the growing season. Oil concentration was not significantly affected by weed control treatment but, in 2009, was significantly (P<0.001) affected by site, with site averages ranging from 1.01 to 2.36μLg−1 fresh weight. In 2009 and 2010, oil concentration was significantly (P<0.05) negatively correlated with site temperature over the growing season. Studies of shoot growth showed that the rate of leaf emergence was significantly (P<0.001) correlated with both soil and air temperatures and the relationships suggested base temperatures of 5.2°C and 6.9°C for air and soil, respectively.

Background: The recalcitrance of lignocellulosic cell wall biomass to deconstruction varies greatly in angiosperms, yet the source of this variation remains unclear. Here, in eight genotypes of short rotation coppice willow (Salix sp.) variability of the reaction wood (RW) response and the impact of this variation on cell wall recalcitrance to enzymatic saccharification was considered.Results: A pot trial was designed to test if the 'RW response' varies between willow genotypes and contributes to the differences observed in cell wall recalcitrance to enzymatic saccharification in field-grown trees. Biomass composition was measured via wet chemistry and used with glucose release yields from enzymatic saccharification to determine cell wall recalcitrance. The levels of glucose release found for pot-grown control trees showed no significant correlation with glucose release from mature field-grown trees. However, when a RW phenotype was induced in pot-grown trees, glucose release was strongly correlated with that for mature field-grown trees. Field studies revealed a 5-fold increase in glucose release from a genotype grown at a site exposed to high wind speeds (a potentially high RW inducing environment) when compared with the same genotype grown at a more sheltered site.Conclusions: Our findings provide evidence for a new concept concerning variation in the recalcitrance to enzymatic hydrolysis of the stem biomass of different, field-grown willow genotypes (and potentially other angiosperms). Specifically, that genotypic differences in the ability to produce a response to RW inducing conditions (a 'RW response') indicate that this RW response is a primary determinant of the variation observed in cell wall glucan accessibility. The identification of the importance of this RW response trait in willows, is likely to be valuable in selective breeding strategies in willow (and other angiosperm) biofuel crops and, with further work to dissect the nature of RW variation, could provide novel targets for genetic modification for improved biofuel feedstocks.

It is well recognized that honeybees are major players in agricultural productivity through their roles in crop pollination, and are economically valuable for hive products (mostly honey), but the indirect link between honey quality and agricultural productivity is seldom voiced. Honey is a valued and revered part of human diets. It is not just a sweetener, but also has special places in culture, religion, and medicine. The value of honey rests in its reputation for purity and that value is of paramount importance to the beekeeping industry and associated value added enterprises in packing, marketing, advertising, wholesale and retail sales. If the reputation of honey as a healthy component of human diet is eroded, then the beekeeping industry becomes jeopardized. Contamination of honey by pesticide (or antibiotic) residues from applications to crops or directly to colonies of honeybees, or adulteration of honey by unscrupulous commercial interests, detracts from honey’s repute. Similarly, concerns for contamination with GMO (Genetically Modified Organisms) in the form of pollen are frequently raised (see literature review on the web; reference below). One would expect the market for honey to be adversely affected if honey’s reputation were eroded. Honey regarded as inferior in quality commands lower prices in the international market. If the market for honey were to decline, and the price to drop, there would be serious consequences to crop production in general resulting from deterioration of beekeeping as an agricultural endeavour and the consequent abandoning of the activity by beekeepers. Having spelled out the generalities in the interconnectedness between honey quality and agricultural productivity, what are the specifics within the area of pollination that relate to government and industry policies on honey purity? This report provides a short summary of the facets of pollination and beekeeping that apply, with recommendations of the stands that need to be taken to protect and assure honey quality for the sake of adequate pollinator forces for agriculture.