We are looking to collaborate on a proposal working in the soil biodiversity theme. Our group has interests in developing understanding of soil microbiome composition and dynamics associated with UK arable crop rotations, and work has been primarily targeted towards legumes (peas, field beans) species investigating the role of foot-rot pathogens and yield decline. We have extensive controlled environment and UK-wide field-trials capability, and also provision of long term rotational studies using different cover-cropping and nitrogen regimes. We have established expertise in crop variety assessment, metagenomics, genomic and transcriptomics, and have strong bioinformatics and data science capabilities supporting machine learning and AI approaches.

NIAB is an independent plant biosciences organisation that has an internationally recognized reputation for innovation and more than 90 years of experience in the agricultural and food sectors. NIAB provides a unique capability partnering with academia and industry to facilitate the translation of basic research into innovative solutions and products for the agricultural sector through RCUK, EU, levy-body and industry funded projects. NIAB disseminates breeding methodologies and approaches via teaching/training courses and informs a large proportion of UK agronomy stakeholders via its membership network. The plant pathology department comprises 15 experienced scientific staff with expertise in initiating controlled epidemics, conducting field trials and large-scale phenotyping. The team also maintains expertise in genetics, genomics, transcriptomics and bioinformatics, specializing in de novo genome assembly, metagenomics, pathotyping and the development of molecular diagnostics techniques. NIAB is committed to connecting research excellence in crop science to address the challenge of ensuring global food security and to exploit the opportunities emerging from the use of plants and plant products.