The Max Planck Institute for Molecular Plant Physiology (MPI-MP) secured £9.1 million (€11 million) from the UK’s Advanced Research and Invention Agency (ARIA) to fund SyncSol, an innovative project focused on optimizing plant genomes. This research aims to develop crops that can capture more CO₂ or produce valuable pharmaceutical compounds.
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As the UK experiences its driest spring in nearly 70 years, researchers at The James Hutton Institute have published a report for the British Ecological Society (BES) outlining how their work is crucial in addressing the current drought and preparing for future challenges.
Spring 2025 marks the driest season since 1956, bringing widespread impacts across the British agroecosystem — from parched fields to diminishing river levels.
Key crops like wheat, barley, and potatoes are already showing stress, with significant yield reductions expected due to dry soils and soaring temperatures. Meanwhile, livestock farmers face tough conditions as poor grass growth forces greater dependence on costly feed, further tightening profit margins, according to a press release.
“The Hutton and its flagship initiatives, including the IBH, are delivering agricultural innovations such as the development of regenerative practices, nature-based solutions for water conservation and drought-resistant crops,” Professor Tim George, Director of the Hutton’s International Barley Hub (IBH) said. “Such innovations, along with targeted subsidies from local and regional government aim to make agriculture more adaptable and less wasteful in the future.”
Hutton scientists prioritize improving crop drought tolerance. Through plant breeding projects, they use a mix of traditional and advanced methods to study how different varieties perform across specific regions, a process called Genotype x Environment analysis. This approach helps tailor crops to local conditions. In some IBH projects, farmers actively participate in selecting the best-performing varieties, a technique known as participatory breeding.
Scientists are selecting crop varieties with traits such as deeper roots and longer-lasting green foliage, known as “stay-green” traits. They are also drawing on landraces—traditional crop varieties naturally adapted to dry conditions—for inspiration. Using advanced techniques like marker-assisted and genomic selection, researchers can predict drought tolerance based on genetic data. Genome-wide association studies help identify the specific genetic regions linked to drought resilience.
Cutting-edge methods, including gene editing and precision breeding, are being used to modify genes that control plant responses to water stress. Additionally, remote sensing technologies, such as drones and sensors, monitor plant health in real time, accelerating the development of climate-resilient crops under field conditions.
“Climate resilience isn’t just about reacting to crises, it’s about anticipating them, adapting to them, and innovating beyond them. Whether it’s through smarter farming, better water management, or cutting-edge genetics, the path forward is clear, and science has a critical part to play in our future sustainability,” Dr Tracy Valentine, Research Leader, Plant:Soils Interaction at the Hutton, said.
Drought is not only a challenge for farming—river flows in some areas have dropped to their lowest levels since records began in 1958, threatening freshwater wildlife and habitats. Eastern Scotland is facing record-low groundwater levels, leading to emergency measures such as transporting water to remote communities. When rain finally arrives, degraded soils increase the risk of widespread runoff and flooding.
Wildfires, once rare in much of the UK, have surged in both frequency and intensity. Already, more land has burned this year than in any previous full year, with climate scientists warning that this may become the new normal.
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