Grant bolsters Research into Viable Crops for Warmer Conditions

A plant scientist at the University of Essex has received a Rank Prize New Lecturer grant in support of her project to develop ways of improving crop performance in response to a changing climate. Dr Amanda Cavanagh, School of Life Sciences, will focus on identifying strategies to enhance the ability of brassica crops – such as cabbages and broccoli – to be more tolerant to extreme temperatures.

The UK’s current climate patterns have seen earlier springs and delayed winters resulting in longer growing seasons and more frequent and intense heat waves. While these conditions might increase productivity in some feed stocks, more frequent heat waves can also cause a reduction in crops by 30%. To meet the anticipated two-fold increase in demand for food crops over the next 30 years, it will be essential to use stock that can adapt to changes in climate.

During photosynthesis when plants convert carbon dioxide into sugars, many  – including major UK crops like wheat and rapeseed – are plagued by a photosynthetic glitch that can limit their yield potential because the enzyme responsible for converting carbon dioxide to carbohydrates can mistakenly grab an oxygen molecule, resulting in a process called photorespiration. As temperatures rise, the competing oxygenation reaction increases and photorespiration rates can impose significant yield drags in warm growing regions. Lowering this penalty can increase crop photosynthetic performance and yield under temperature stress, but there remains limited understanding of natural variation in the biochemistry underpinning photorespiration. 

Dr Cavanagh’s project will provide the first detailed characterisation of this photosynthetic glitch by exploring variation in photorespiration among Brassica crops to identify mechanisms to boost productivity in a warming world. “I am honoured to receive this award from the Rank Prize, which will play a critical role in establishing my research program in the Plant Productivity Group at Essex,” Dr Cavanagh said.

The annual Rank Prize New Lecturer research grant is offered in the areas of human nutrition, animal nutrition and crop science to help postdoctoral scientists establish their careers as independent investigators.

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