Sectors

Barley
Agriculture
With plentiful rain and long summer day lengths, Scotland produces some of the highest yielding and best quality crops in the world. But conditions that promote good crop growth are often good for pests and pathogens too and in Scotland 15-20% of our crops are lost to pests and diseases annually.
Snail on leaf
Environment
Scotland has a remarkable assemblage of species and habitats with Atlantic, montane, boreal, arctic-alpine, and oceanic habitats in close proximity. However, pests and pathogens represent an increasing threat to these natural assets, and a particular challenge is the sheer complexity of the diversity of the natural environment in terms of the number of species that may be impacted.
trees on river
Forestry
The sector represents a major component of Scotland’s rural economy – providing significant employment and raw materials for wood processing industries. Sustainable forest management seeks to deliver these economic benefits alongside important ecosystem services such as carbon sequestration and flood mitigation, provision of wildlife habitat and opportunities for recreation and a range of leisure activities. Pests and diseases threaten the continued long-term delivery of these benefits.
Daffodils
Horticulture
Scotland is renowned for the quality of its private and public horticultural collections, and its rich cultural history of plant collecting, allotments and gardening. Horticultural plantings are of significant economic value, as well as providing amenity, health and well-being, cultural and conservation resources. However, pest and pathogens represent a major threat to this highly diverse set of plantings.

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Deadline for applications: 12.00 noon on Thursday 21st March 2019 

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Latest NewsView All News

Ian Toth at North East Fife careers fair

Careers Fair for children in North East Fife

Thanks to the North Fife Rotary Club for inviting the Plant Health Centre to meet Primary 6 and 7 pupils from North East Fife to discuss careers in plant health and the disadvantages of bringing plants home from abroad (as part of the 'Don't Risk It' campaign).
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Arable field with hay bales

Impact on Scottish crops if the molluscicide metaldehyde is withdrawn

This report sets out estimates for the crop loss and value to Scottish crop production should the molluscicide metaldehyde be withdrawn. This would leave ferric phosphate as the only available chemical control option. Short term losses are negligible as the substitution of ferric phosphate carries no additional treatment costs and has equivalent efficacy. Longer term there is some risk should resistance arise to this single site mode of action active, and ferric phosphate (although of lower mammalian toxicity to metaldehyde) has some environmental impacts of its own.

 

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Our Next Event

Gatsby Plant Science Summer School students
Gatsby Plant Science Summer School
30 Jun 2019 9am - 4 Jul 2019 5pm

THE HAWKHILLS, Easingwold, York, YO61 3EG

Prof Ian Toth will present his views on 'Reducing the burden of crop pests and diseases' for the closing plenary of the Gatsby Plant Science Summer School 2019
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