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NET4FS: AN INTERDISCIPLINARY TRAINING
NETWORK TO ADDRESS KEY QUESTIONS IN
PLANT DEVELOPMENT FOR FOOD SECURITY
Website: www.cpib.ac.uk/net4fs
Contact: [email protected]
Net4FS is an European funded project for collaboration between the
University of Nottingham UK, Shanghai Jiao Tong University China and CIRAD, France.
CHALLENGE
Providing sufficient high quality food for an increasing world population is a major global problem.
Estimates suggest that 50% more food will be needed by 2050, but this must be produced in an
environmentally sustainable manner. The world is facing major challenges to meet the long-term needs
for Global Food Security. There is no easy solution to these problems: a concerted effort towards
increasing yield, enhancing food quality, whilst avoiding losses and environmental damage is vital. These
challenges will be best addressed by interdisciplinary approaches integrating scientific disciplines.
PROGRAMME OUTPUTS
•  Collaborative projects to aid sustainable increased agricultural productivity and global food security.
•  Engagement between European public and private sector stakeholders and links between universities
and agricultural, breeding and biotech companies in China and Europe.
•  Mobility programme for EU researchers to China.
•  Increase of EU researchers working and interacting with China and training a new generation of
agriculture leaders with the skills to address the biological issues of global food security.
IMPACT ON INDUSTRY
Industry is one of the target group of the project. Industry will benefit since the science will
advance more quickly, duplication will be avoided and engagement will be facilitated.
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MAIN SUBJECT THEMES
The four main subject areas developed in the project comprise key aspects of plant development that
directly impact on crop yield and agriculture, and thus Global Food Security.
MA1 – Root architecture and water/nutrient use efficiency
Improved water and nutrient uptake efficiency are critical for effective plant growth, plant nutrition
and defence, and therefore increased yield. Root architecture critically influences nutrient and
water uptake efficiency, particularly under adverse conditions associated with climate change
such as limited water availability. University of Nottingham researchers are pioneering efforts to
develop new understanding of how key regulatory genes and signals control root responses to
water availability. (Coordinators: Malcolm Bennett, University of Nottingham; Christophe Perin,
Anne Dievart, CIRAD; Dabing Zhang, Wanqi Liang , Shanghai Jiao Tong University).
MA2 – Canopy architecture and improvement of photosynthetic efficiency
Any large increase in yield must be supported by a rise in biomass. University of Nottingham
researchers have developed techniques for high-resolution 3D imaging of plant canopies and
linked these to mathematical models of photosynthesis that can be used to predict the optimal
distribution of dynamic properties within the cereal canopy. Populations of both wheat and rice
with genetically altered levels of photosynthesis can be used to test the hypothesis that the
distribution of activity of photosynthetic and photoprotective processes will lead to higher
biomass. (Coordinators: Erik Murchie, Tony Pridmore, University of Nottingham; Fabrice
Varoquaux, CIRAD).
MA3 – Male reproduction and crop fertility
Viable pollen is vital for crop fertilisation and seed production, and therefore food for animal and
human consumption. Control of pollen viability, or the release of functional pollen, is also vital for
breeding programmes and hybrid production. Over the past 10 years University of Nottingham
and Shanghai Jiao Tong University have had an on-going successful collaboration in this area
that has resulted in researcher exchange and high-impact joint publications. (Coordinators: Zoe
Wilson, University of Nottingham; Dabing Zhang, Wanqi Liang, Zheng Yuan, Shanghai Jiao Tong
University).
MA4 – Modification of plant cell walls: fruit ripening, organ abscission and dehiscence
The structure and composition of plant cell walls are critical for many aspects of plant
development and effective use of crops. University of Nottingham has been actively involved in
the Tomato Genome project and is currently applying knowledge from this to the ripening and
improvement of fleshy fruits and the modification of cell walls. (Coordinators: Graham Seymour,
Jeremy Roberts, University of Nottingham; Fabrice Varoquaux, CIRAD).
If you are interested in being part of this project or if
you need more information, please, contact
[email protected] or visit the
website www.cpib.ac.uk/net4fs