AHDB-funded PhD students showcased their research at the second annual HGCA-Potato Council Student Symposium on 21 April 2015.

Held in Essex at Throws Farm Technology Centre, 20 students funded by HGCA and Potato Council presented their work, ranging from understanding genetic control of important traits such as yield, disease resistance, or grain quality traits for milling; to improved management of pests and pathogens in the field, as well as issues surrounding storage.

Joint chair of the symposium, Amanda Bennett, HGCA, said: “Through our studentship programme, AHDB is training the next generation of scientists, and we had an excellent group of researchers presenting, whose work will ultimately benefit levy payers and the wider industry.”

The aim of the AHDB studentship programme is to deliver value from its post-graduate studentships, backing useable scientific developments that are relevant to industry priorities. It is also firmly focused on the challenge to develop the next generation of technical experts for the agriculture and horticulture industries.

Philip Burgess, Head of Knowledge Transfer and Communications at Potato Council said: “This studentship programme has great value for industry. The knowledge transfer which comes out of it will make the agriculture industries more competitive and sustainable.”

Christina Clarke, a second-year student funded by HGCA at the University of Reading, is investigating root systems for the sustainable intensification and resilience of wheat.

She said: “The AHDB/HGCA studentship is giving me a lot of experience in academic work. Coming to conferences and working with other institutes gives me a good understanding of the wider research sector. I meet people and get an idea of the community of people working on these topics, and the information available to us all. Through doing the studentship I’m learning I love research!”

Christina is also a Student Ambassador with the International Society of Root Research, helping to support young science leaders.

Rebecca Geraghty, HGCA Sector Director, said: “We’re proud of the fact that AHDB is investing in a studentship programme every year. Not only are we training students for the industry, but we’re also producing solid scientific results which will have practical application for farmers in years to come.”

Students funded by HGCA and Potato Council are studying at institutions across the UK, including Rothamsted Research, James Hutton Institute, the University of Hertfordshire, the University of Warwick, IBERS, Harper Adams University, Nottingham Trent University, Natural Resources Institute, the University of Reading, SRUC, the University of Glasgow/ SUERC, the John Innes Centre, and the University of Sheffield.

The next PhD studentship call opens in late June, with details published on www.ahdb.org.uk.
For more information on the PhD programme email research@hgca.ahdb.org.uk for HGCA, or research@potato.org.uk  for Potato Council.