Learn how this KTP transfered novel crop knowledge into commercial practice.
The project was awarded the grade of "Very Good" by the KTP Grading Panel for its achievement in meeting KTP's objectives.?
In the work presented here, Scottish produced honeyberries exhibited high quality as determined by their soluble solids content and oBrix-acid ratios.? Find out more about Comparative analysis of quality and nutritional traits from Lonicera caerulea (Honeyberry) cultivars and other berries grown in Scotland
Scottish Honeyberries is a cooperative of soft fruit growers, formed in response to increasing interest in growing honeyberry fruit in Scotland, in order to develop honeyberry expertise and quality products, establishing Scotland as a world leader in honeyberry production.
The James Hutton Institute is a world-leading independent scientific research organisation based in Scotland but working in collaboration across the globe. Its pioneering science innovates and finds solutions for the challenges posed by the climate and nature crises on the sustainability and resilience of our crops, land, natural resources and communities through the development of transformative tools, interventions, products and land management practices.
To transfer fundamental knowledge, around the novel fruit crop honeyberry, into commercial practice through the development of expertise which will have implications in new fruit product development and the creation of new products for customers.
The KTP created a clear growers guide, resulting in higher crop yields and quality for existing growers, and enabling rapid recruitment of new growers. The team responded creatively to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, developing digital marketing, direct web sales and securing external funding for a podcast.
“It’s often the unexpected benefits from a KTP that have the most impact. In this case we were able to assemble a new germplasm resource which could have a profound impact on our soft fruit breeding and indeed the nation's dietary choices going forward.”
Dr Robert Hancock
Senior Biochemist
Fruit Breeder
Dr Jarret, an experienced soft fruit breeder and researcher, is one of the few people in the UK to have trialled Honeyberries. In 2016, she performed Honeyberry nutritional analysis and its comparison to other commercially established fruits grown in Scotland.
KTP Associate
After her KTP Associate role, Louise became the manager of the James Hutton Institute's soft fruit high health facility, which is unique within the UK, supplying disease-free propagation material to breeders and growers. She also serves as the Plant Health Officer, upholding stringent biosecurity standards at the institute.
Her experience spans a variety of crop pathogens, including fungal pathogens in barley and viruses in soft fruit crops. Additionally, she has spent several years acquiring commercial research experience. Her research is focused on molecular crop plant pathology, particularly enhancing diagnostic methods and pathogen testing techniques.
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