Genetics offer pesticide solution: Leading plant breeder Mylnefield Research Services' work on crop genetics may reduce the need for pesticide spraying, explains the firm's Nigel Kerby

摘要

The European Parliament's plans to limit the amount of pesticides available to growers and the arrival of new plant diseases as a result of global warming will all constitute new threats to crop cultivation that need to be addressed by plant breeders.This is the assessment of Nigel Kerby, managing director of leading UK plant breeder and product developer Mylnefield Research Services (MRS), who says genetic research into natural disease resistance in plants is vital for the future of the fresh produce industry. "Over the next few years, we might have to do without some chemicals, so there are severe threats from certain diseases," he says. "With climate change, we have also found some crop diseases that have never been seen before in the UK. Theseare going to be major challenges."