Table Of Content

Agricultural and Food Research Council ANNUAL REPORT SLEee SIS va A BASIS FOR Sustainability CONTENTS To the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster The Agricultural and Food Research Council, as required by Schedule 1 of the Council members Science and Technology Act,1965, submits the following report on its activities Chairman’s Statement during the period from 1 April 1991 to 31 March 1992. AFRC summary Sir Alistair Grant, Chairman Director General’s Report 1991/92 Professor T L Blundell PRS, Director General Frontiers in the Biological and Laid before Parliament pursuant to Schedule 1 of the Science and Technology Act, 1965. Engineering Sciences 19 November 1992. 10-11 Tagging the genes that protect plants from disease MEMBERSHIP OF COUNCIL at 31 MARCH 1992 AS New insights for improving chemotherapy and for understanding cellular immune a0 aeons Dene responses WW ahog oie fe 14-15 Computer takes the load for farm buildings 16-17 Designer starches Sir Alistair Grant Dr D A Evans Dr T Litle << T8519 Antibodies against viral disease of calves Chairman ICI Agrochemicals Unilever Research, and babies CholwoMrfth aL aborgatorye 20-21 Novel NMR techniques for monitoring mass Eas aad) a transport in foods 22 Foot-and-mouth disease virus - a novel Professor T L Blundell FRS Mr D F R George OBE —_—_— Mr K J MacKenzie element controlling protein synthesis Deputy Chairman and Dyfed Seeds Secretary, SOAFD Director General Aaah A basis for sustainability onW.-G H 23 Using agricultural resources more me es efficiently Dr P J Bunyan Mr ABN Gill Professor T A Mansfield FRS 24-25 The genetic map of wheat - a new tool for Chief Scientific Adviser, MAFF Deputy President, NFU University of Lancaster plant breeders 26-27 Whole crop utilisation 28-29 Alternative and novel crops 30 Livestock improvement IW Mr JL C Provan Mr C R Cann Professor R M Hicks OBE 31 Developing: a systems approach to Deputy Secretary, Countryside, United Biscuits (UK) Ltd Farmer farming and the environment Marine Environment and Fisheries, MAFF 32 Less intensive-farming and the environment [ i 33 Process modelling to optimise farming 7 practices Professor E C D Cocking FRS Professor G Horn FRS Mr G T Pryce an 34 Models of grazing and plant growth University of Nottingham University of Cambridge Chairman, Horticulture Research 35737) New options for crop protection International and Solway Foods Ltd 38 Expert systems aid waste management across Europe 39 Native species in the agricultural landscape 40-41 Collaborative programmes on Professor J R Coggins Mr R M Knapman MP Dr D W F Shannon environmental issues University of Glasgow Chief Scientist, Agriculture and Horticulture, MAFF 42-44 Improving animal health and welfare eee Com @ kress 45 Meeting dietary and other consumer needs Professor J MM Cunningham CBE Professor JR Krebs FRS Professor W V Shaw 46-47 Nutrients and genes Formerly West of Scotland University of Oxford University of Leicester 48-49 Diet and health College of Agriculture 50 Consumer attitudes and fat consumption 51 Probing nutritional and functional le Poco & \ abeene quality of foods eee Sir Sam Edwards FRS Professor C J Leaver FRS 52-53 Financial and other Reports University of Cambridge University of Oxford 54-57 Financial Statement 58-59 International Report Assessors Mr K C Meldrum Sir Mark Richmond FRS 6630--6642 GCRHroeuausmnneactaisnrl c hB RCoeoaCsmroomdmuismrt ictteetsee se,s , StRafefs eCaormcmhi ttees, DDDNTrrEI R ERC BFu tCtolel eman CB EMPDMrSrARo RFCfCDF e sAso rR eeHs JF NRSe wby MSPROorrESyoR TafC lDe s SsWoociirle tkyiH n sSomni th FRS Dr C H McMurray Mr O Rees CB Institutes, Acronyms DANI Welsh Office AVION INFORMATION CEN AE CHAIRMAN’S STATEMENT - 3 DEC 1992 Wellcome Centre for Medical Science ke! here are few years, if any, since the end of the second world war that illustrate more clearly than 1991-92 the importance of a sound scientific foundation for our agricultural and food industries. The impending completion of the Single Market will increase competition, emphasising still further the need to satisfy consumer demands and aspirations, as well as offering new market opportunities. The CAP reform agreement, by adjusting the balance between costs and income, calls for reappraisal of high-input farming systems, as does the growing integration of environmental issues into agricultural support policies. That these changes take place against a backcloth of worldwide concern about exhaustion of the planet’s natural resources, exemplified by the Rio | summit, and of inexorable population increase and food crises in parts of the developing world, serves only to show the complexity of the challenges we face. A consensus about the need to develop countries. The bringing together of patterns of farming and land use that are expertise in this way at the level of sustainable in terms of their fundamental research is intellectually environmental impact is matched by the invigorating, and indicative of the healthy recognition that these must be as state of AFRC science. Particularly exciting sustainable in economic terms as those is the synthesis of new research areas, for that met the demands of previous decades example, at the interfaces between for increased efficiency of production. A biological and engineering systems, in the strong scientific basis is essential for long use of molecular data to inform ecological term development of new technologies studies at the farmland level, and in and to avoid simplistic or haphazard relating food composition and structure to approaches. AFRC has a major role to play diet and health. The sense of scientific in providing the necessary basic adventure is obvious, and I pay tribute to information - the theme of this year’s the commitment and dedication of Annual Report. The Council already plays AFRC’s staff. a full part in the national and international debate about future This same commitment is seen in the Council’s positive response to directions in agriculture and opportunities and challenges that have environmental sustainability. A recent example was the highly successful arisen away from the research bench. Economic recession has added to the ymposium on sustainable crop production “ systems and the role of emerging financial constraints and uncertainties Nhadain Frat technologies, sponsored jointly by AFRC within which the Council operates and has required prudent management of and the Royal Agricultural Society of resources during this period. I particularly England, which brought together welcome new initiatives in industrial policymakers and agriculturalists from relations, career development and equal Si.r Alis° tair° Grtunete . a (= rncc enr ene around the world. opportunities. Scientific excellence ON he haw Brug Maasi vi = Chairman t I am greatly encouraged by the enthusiasm together with effective and imaginative with which AFRC scientists are expanding research administration is a powerful their links with researchers in other mixture - and one that allows AFRC to look disciplines, in industry and in other forward with confidence. Vt AF AFRC @ AFRC research is multidisciplinary with an emphasis on biological sciences, biotechnology and engineering. It provides options for the development of sustainable and diversified agriculture in an increasingly competitive and international market place. The mission of the Agricultural and Food @ AFRC research is dedicated to the public interest and Research Council (AFRC) 1s to advance contributes to economic, social and cultural advances, to public policy and to the regulation of agriculture, food, fundamental and strategic knowledge for animal health and welfare, and the environment. agriculture, food and other biologically based industries. @ AFRC funds research and training in institutes, universities and other higher education institutions. Collaboration with industry enhances technology~ transfer. @ he principal source of income to AFRC is from the ~ Science Budget of the Office of Science and Technology. — The other major source of funding is from the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food for commissioned | research. AFRC also receives contract and other income from industry, Government organisations and the EC. This Report contains highlights of work supported from — each of these sources. : @ The Scottish Agricultural Research Institutes, together = with the AFRC institutes, comprise the Agricultural and — Food Research Service. They are funded by the Scottish Office Agriculture and Fisheries Department and are not reported on in detail in this Report. = “<2, a cy a Via La aa me =~\» . "> 2 ~ Say is ‘ : want RoLyepee epeag)l 9 reas ern — ~ “AR DIRECTOR GENERAL’S REPORT 1991-1992 or many years man has AFRC AND PARLIAMENT lived in equilibrium with his environment; the During the period of this Report House of Lords Select Committee on AFRC presented evidence to Science and Technology: Systematic consumption of physical, chemical Parliamentary Committees on a Biology Research (April 1991 - and biological resources has been wide range of issues. written, April 1991 - oral). small compared fo the reserves available. Only recently has it Select Committee on Committee Work AFRC also contributed to the Royal of the House (July 1991). Society Science Inquiry (June 1991 - become evident that this is no written, July 1991 - oral). longer true. Science and technology House of Commons Information Committee Inquiry on the Parliamentary have allowed man to live longer Office Science and Technology and to reproduce more effectively. (January 1992). Now demographic studies indicate that the human population will However, the situation is certainly more Scientific Structures increase dramatically in the coming complex. In western countries the diversified years, probably by one billion each and labour-intensive agriculture of the early In the early days AFRC research concentrated decade until the middle of the part of the century has been replaced by a on single commodities, components or system in which individual farms, and even disciplines. In the 1980s it became evident twenty first century. The challenge complete regions, concentrate on one crop that this was an inappropriate structure, and will be to sustain this vast new or livestock, and chemical and mechanised the AFRC reorganised into eight research population - a new China each inputs are an increasing proportion of costs. areas, reflected in the formation of eight Pesticide resistance is increasing and there is institutes. This has provided for multi- decade - on a planet with limited concern about the persistence of chemicals in disciplinary research that stresses broad areas, resources. The question of the environment. These trends have been such as animal health and arable crops, rather sustainability is now firmly on the reflected in the Prince of Wales’ interest in than specific products and commodities. organic farming and the environmental world agenda. concerns expressed in the report of the Royal The greatest challenge for the AFRC now is Agricultural Society of England published to provide further horizontal links that during the year. In many parts of the world encourage comparative and multidisciplinary The enormity of the challenge has been there is increasing soil erosion, deforestation studies. This is important to molecular and obscured by the success of our manufacturing and desertification, disruption of cell biologists who find that genes and gene and agricultural industries in increasing hydrogeological cycles and loss of biodiversity products tend to have homologues in quite production during the past fifty years. as a result of intensive agricultural practices different animals and plants. Research is also Nowhere is this more impressive than in and increased number of farm animals that needed that approaches agriculture as an agriculture. New breeds of crops and have paralleled the increase in the human integrated farming practice that is part of the livestock, more effective pesticides and population. Important questions arise as to broader ecosystem; this requires close antibiotics, innovative mechanisation and whether current modes of agricultural collaboration between animal and plant new farming practices have all contributed to production can be sustained to provide the physiologists, ecologists, modellers and others improved efficiency of the industry and food for the increasing world population. interested in the agroecosystem. Thus the increased yields of food since the war. Food horizontal links must facilitate the transfer of now represents a much smaller percentage of I believe that the science and engineering new technologies and discoveries between domestic expenditure than at any time before programmes of AFRC have much to research groups, whether they be in institutes and food production for developed countries contribute towards a solution to these or universities, and whether they be in plants, is no longer a problem. Indeed surpluses in problems. They provide opportunities and animals or food. The horizontal links should the West are often held to be evidence of our new technologies that can increase efficiency also encourage the integration of the new ability to sustain the growing world but at the same time conserve resources. biotechnologies with research into population, if only the logistic problems of These themes, which are as important to agricultural systems; after all a new transgenic distribution were solved and proven British agriculture as to that of developing crop will need to be grown as part of agricultural production systems were adopted countries, provide the basis of this year’s environmentally friendly, integrated in developing countries. Annual Report. farming practice! The AFRC has several mechanisms for Most AFRC research is strategic and provides objectives are both to sustain the efficiency increasing such horizontal links. These options for the agricultural, food and other and competitiveness of the industry and to include the new role of Director of Science, biology-based industries. Such strategic sustain the natural resources, whether they be _ in which Professor Brian Heap FRS has been research areas are selected on the basis of physical, chemical or biological. In general acting. He advises on multidisciplinary areas their relevance to our mission but the we shall need to balance these two elements such as genome mapping and biotechnology. individual projects must be judged on the or ‘optimise’ the whole system. Over the The creation of the Think-Tank has also basis of excellence. This is true whether the longer term the two become inseparable, but encouraged broad discussion of topics such science involves molecules, cells, genetics, in this review we have separated them in as agricultural sustainability. In a similar way whole animal physiology or ecosystems. order to emphasise their equal importance. the new Strategy Board, with members drawn from universities, institutes and Central The first section of this Annual Report In the section of this Report that describes Office, has been effective at introducing emphasises some of the multidisciplinary and work designed to enhance the more discussion of strategic issues. A further often comparative studies carried out by the competitiveness of the industry we describe innovation is the establishment of the AFRC. Most examples involve horizontal our studies of genomes of wheat (pp 24-25) Engineering Board, which brings engineers transfer of techniques and understanding and livestock (pp 30). These research "of many different specialisations together between our traditional institute areas and programmes are designed to identify with biologists and agriculturalists; this is even frorn outside the AFRC, particularly agronomically important genes. They will be already proving to be an effective mechanism from medicine. For example, we describe important both to the selection of desirable for encouraging new engineering initiatives work (pp 10-11) using mobile DNA traits early in traditional breeding which have a major role to play in future components, known as transposons, that programmes and to transgenic approaches AFRC research. resemble retroviruses like HIV and use where genes from one species can be directly similar molecular tactics to break out and characterised and transferred to another The coordinated programmes instituted by then reincorporate themselves in the animal or plant. The possibilities for use of the AFRC have also been very effective in genome. The movements of transposons can the new technologies are great, but they must creating links between different institute and disrupt genes that are responsible for various be carefully regulated and they must be limited university groups. Thus our high priority phenotypic traits and so tag them. This allows by what the public considers acceptable. programme on bovine spongiform them to be identified and characterised. The encephalopathies brings together protein work described here by the Birmingham and Diversification to non-food products biochemists, geneticists, virologists and Norwich groups uses the Antirrhinum where neurobiologists to tackle this mysterious and the rates of transposon movement are very One important aspect of efficiency and economically important disease. The high. Once identified similar genes can often sustainability of agricultural industries will be coordinated programme on global be located and characterised in more useful diversification into new crops including those environmental change links the work of plant crop plants. with products other than food. In many ways physiologists studying stress responses, agriculture has been unusual in its increased ecologists, veterinarians and environmental Another example of comparative science is specialisation, particularly over the past three physicists; it also links into the sister illustrated in the work on cell transporters - decades; in most western countries programme of the Natural Environment proteins that pump molecules across cell agriculture has tended towards an excessive Research Council. membranes (pp 12-13). Here there are useful reliance on a single crop, which often parallels between the molecules involved in increases commercial risks, increases risk of Scientific Options cystic fibrosis, the transporters of cytotoxic disease, decreases biological diversity of the molecules important in chemotherapy, and ecosystem and disturbs the hydrogeological Current AFRC research includes two rather molecules involved in transporting antigenic system. different kinds of science. On the one hand peptide fragments in cellular immune molecular biology and genetics describe responses. A further example (pp 20-21) is These are strong arguments for individual molecules or organisms; they are the use of NMR micro-imaging of water in diversification. In fact the opportunities are reductionist in emphasis. On the other hand, food during cooking which exploits great, especially for non-food uses. On page nutrient management, ecology, pest control techniques developed for the study of a range 27 we describe biological principles of short and environmental studies require more of inorganic and biological materials. rotation willow coppicing for biomass and holistic approaches involving the study of engineering advances in fibre extraction integrated systems. These are usefully Science for a competitive industry from cereal and other straws. Manipulation brought together in the concept of of plant genomes also offers particularly sustainability, which characterises much of The second part of the Annual Report exciting opportunities for production of non- AFRC research, and which is the theme of describes research that builds on the new food products. On page 28 we describe how this Annual Report. knowledge and new technologies; its crops like rape could be genetically a engineered to produce chemicals and bacterial infections. We also describe the interaction of the food with the gut (pp 46- biofuels. Such possibilities have been the planned introduction into brassicas of 47) and the role of diet in the prevention of subject of considerable attention both in resistance genes against fungal diseases, diseases (pp 48-49). Traditionally AFRC has this country and in other parts of Europe. discovered in a model plant Arabidopsis studied food until it reaches the human With new scientific and technological thaliana. A further example is the mimicking mouth, but no further. The new developments, and a resource policy that of natural semio-chemicals, which are alarm developments lead us into closer favours diversification, these could become molecules used in signalling between collaboration with the MRC as we approach economically attractive. insects, in order to provide lures into traps new areas of research involving human for aphids. biology. We have already appointed a clinical It is also worth noting that animals can scientist at the Norwich Laboratory to lead provide sources of new specialised products. Food: sustaining the population some of these new developments. We are also Bayer’s purchase of the new transgenic researching consumer attitudes to food technology for producing pharmaceuticals The term sustainable agriculture also implies consumption (pp 50); these affect eating in sheep’s milk, developed at Roslin, shows sustaining the consumer with high quality, patterns and the health of the community. that the multinational pharmaceutical nutritious, safe and affordable food. In this industry sees such developments as a realistic respect there needs to be better integration As we study sustainable agricultural practices proposition for the manufacture of between the farmer, the food processor and that will provide food for the exponentially useful drugs. the food retailer so that the requirements of increasing world population, so the more discriminating consumer can considerations of minimum dietary Sustaining biological resources influence the level and nature of investment requirements are proving to be a major factor before the farm gate. In this Annual Report in defining trade and aid in human food and AFRC scientists have had research interests in (pp 51) we describe several new biological animal feed. It is inevitable, and indeed the sustainability of agricultural systems for techniques that provide rapid and highly desirable, that the AFRC should contribute to many years. The long term field studies at sensitive methods for estimating the quality this important debate. Rothamsted Experimental Station, which are of foods. For example, the use of enzymes to People and places to work now one hundred and fifty years old, have assess starch quality and immune methods to carefully characterised the productivity of a recognise gluten components that determine I am delighted to report the increase of the typical agricultural system. The development the quality of flour will.assist the farmer in postgraduate student stipend from October of integrated crop management systems has meeting requirements for high quality food. 1991. AFRC believes that the level of the been pioneered in the UK through these postgraduate stipend is a major factor in experiments and the Less Intensive Farming The new science has much to offer the food attracting high quality graduates to a research and Environment (LIFE) project at Long industry in analysis and diagnosis of food career. Low stipends are having an adverse Ashton Research Station (pp 32). These pathogens. For rapid detection of pathogens effect on the work carried out by PhD experiments are now being combined with and improved monitoring DNA technology students, even though the paucity of job modern computer modelling approaches has provided a very sensitive test capable of opportunities means that there is strong that extend to the broader agroecosystem detecting low numbers of specific pathogens competition for the studentships at the (pp 33). Engineering expertise is important such as Listeria which can be linked to present time. to this kind of work which is now being automated monitoring systems. The AFRC encouraged in a new programme on farming Institute of Food Research is also playing a We must also consider attracting students as an engineering practice, funded as part of major role in a national initiative on into science in general, and biology in the joint SERC/AFRC Clean Technology computer modelling of food pathogens. particular, while they are still at school. AFRC Programme (pp 40). This will provide manufacturers with has links with the National Centre for objective data from which to design for safety. Biotechnology Education and has developed Central to sustainability of the agroecosystem The models predict the growth of food with them a programme of special schools’ is the management of pests. Optimally poisoning bacteria, such as Salmonella, Listeria publications and project-based competitions. pesticide use should be integrated with and Clostridium botulinum. The ability to In collaboration with NCBE and the Natural biological and cultural techniques to control predict how bacterial growth is affected by History Museum a successful Schools weeds, anthropod and vertebrate pests and various combinations of acidity, water content Conference was held in May 1992 on pathogens. There are many new biological and storage temperature will enable food “Biotechnology - the Way Forward”. options for crop protection and some formulations to be designed with built-in examples are recorded in this Report (pp 35- product safety. In addition to good people we must provide 37). They include engineering hen egg white good facilities. This year has seen the lysozyme, an enzyme that degrades bacterial Our food research is increasingly concerned completion of some splendid new cell walls, into potatoes to protect against with diet and health. We are researching the laboratories at Compton for the Institute for Animal Health, and at Aberystwyth and North collaborations with experience, knowledge makers who are not scientists. We have also Wyke for the Institute of Grassland and and new ideas flowing from academia to increased our interactions with the Environmental Research. Although these new industry and vice versa. Another example is Department of the Environment; solutions to buildings have been a consequence of our close and continuous relationship with environmental challenges must take into restructuring and have involved relocation of Agricultural Genetics Company, with whom account the fact that more than 80% of UK scientists and redundancies involving great we have signed a new collaborative land is involved in agriculture. Finally we personal distress in many cases, the new agreement this year. have much to contribute to the ODA. The laboratories offer a very attractive fact that different plants and animals have environment for first class scientific research Government funding of science similar genes, and therefore similar structures in the coming years. The sale ofi nstitute sites and functions at the level of molecules, cells, at Hurley, Houghton and Cold Norton that This year we have seen the transfer of the tissues and whole organisms, means that new are now surplus to our requirements remains Science Vote - the funding for fundamental discoveries such as genes for disease difficult in a recession, but it is an area into and strategic research - from the Department resistance can be quite quickly transferred which we are investing considerable time of Education and Science to the Office of between UK and tropical crops. Our work on and expertise. Science and Technology in the Cabinet optimising systems to provide a sustainable Office. AFRC welcomes this development. agriculture is becoming increasingly Links with industry Strategic research is becoming increasingly important to those in developing countries, generic so that new scientific discoveries as became evident in the RASE/AFRC AFRC has the responsibility not only for become useful to a broad range ofi ndustries symposium “Towards Sustainable Crop carrying out excellent strategic research, but and Government Departments. It is, Production Systems” held in Cambridge this also for facilitating the transfer of the new therefore, appropriate that the research is summer. AFRC research generated enormous knowledge and expertise to industry. This funded through a ‘neutral’ department. It is interest amongst the delegates from more has become particularly important now that especially good that it is one that is close to than forty different countries. The AFRC is Government is unwilling to fund research the Prime Minister for new technology must now Carrying out a major appraisal of its that has ‘immediate’ applications - the so- be an essential prerequisite for most present and potential contributions to called near-market research. Much competitive industries in a country like the research in and for developing countries. I technology transfer occurs as part of UK that has neither cheap labour nor foresee strong arguments for closer collaborative research programmes funded abundant natural resources. collaborative links with the ODA and with either entirely by industry or through the NRI, in particular. Government LINK scheme. With respect to industry I am optimistic that the OST will give further support to our It is always a pleasure to record the national Agriculture has provided some rather good research underpinning biological industries and international recognition of our science, examples of direct transfer of a technology in non-food areas such as fibres, and the achievements of individual members to industry; indeed the stripper harvester, in pharmaceutical and fuels (see my discussion of staff (see page 62). Also this year I am which Silsoe has played a major role and of diversification above) as well as to the delighted to record AFRC’s congratulations which won the Queen’s Award for agricultural and food industries. In the latter to Council Members recognised in the Technology this year, is a good example. case the trade deficit in foods from temperate Honours Lists and in particular to our However, even with the stripper there is countries has emphasised the importance of Chairman, Sir Alistair Grant on the award plenty of evidence for the need for close competitive and technology-based industries of Knight Bachelor in the New Years interactions between industry and the to our economic well-being. Honours 1992. research group over a long period of time. The generation of new technology usually Our research is proving to be important in occurs in a series of incremental steps the formation of policy in a wide range of malin: eee a deriving from close and continuing Government Departments. We welcome the discussion between industry and academia. opportunity of competing within the We have endeavoured to set up the necessary Government research market and have structures and interactions with industry to confidence in our ability to win competitive Tom Blundell FRS nurture technology transfer according to this contracts. Our involvement with a wide range non-linear model. Thus the joint Institute of of industry underlines the importance of Director General Arable Crops/ICI Agrochemicals symposia effective interactions with the DTI and the are a good example of these interactions; Scottish, Welsh and Northern Ireland Offices. subjects like optimisation of crop protection Our links with MAFF continue to be close methods clearly require extensive and strong; this is particularly important as multidisciplinary discussions and research priorities begin to be set by policy x LAS 3 i +e2e eC As SoPeS S.~~ N ea =e i