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.

Website: www.cpib.ac.uk/net4fs Contact: miriam.colombi@nottingham.ac.uk

NET4FS: AN INTERDISCIPLINARY TRAINING NETWORK TO ADDRESS KEY QUESTIONS IN PLANT DEVELOPMENT FOR FOOD SECURITY !

If you are interested in being part of this project or if you need more information, please, contact miriam.colombi@nottingham.ac.uk or visit the website www.cpib.ac.uk/net4fs

!

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).