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PhD Wheat Project

Identification, prevalence and impacts of viral diseases in UK winter Wheat crops

Laura Flint is a student from Nottingham University who is currently undertaking this project, partially funded by HGCA. Laura will be testing wheat for different viruses, based here at Sand Hutton, York.

Defra statistics show that the yield of wheat increased from 1940 until 2000. Unfortunately, after this time the yield began to plateau. It has been suggested that this could be due to viruses.

Laura's research aims to fully investigate this, beginning with a survey of wheat across the UK to assess which, if any, viruses are present. The results of the survey will lead to further work that may enable the plateau to be explained and in turn suggest how yields might be increased.

Typical symptoms of viral infections of wheat include yellowing, reddening, mottling, mosaic, striping, distortion, stunting and necrosis. If you come across any wheat that is exhibiting such symptoms, Laura would really appreciate a sample of it.

Sample Submission

To submit a sample, please complete the submission form and return it with your samples to Laura at:

Laura Flint
The Food and Environment Research Agency
Room 02G07
Sand Hutton
York
North Yorkshire
YO41 1LZ

The submission form can be completed electronically, printed out and sent with your samples or if you prefer, you can print the form out and complete by hand. To enable compatibilty with the submission form, you will need the latest version of Adobe Reader, which can be downloaded from the Adobe website.

More information

For more information, you can call Laura on 01904 462 377 or email her at

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