PROBITY Project

PROBITY is a three-year multi-partner project £2.2m, funded by Defra’s Farming Innovation Fund, delivered by Innovate UK & led by BOFIN.

[Tom Allen-Stevens @tomallenstevens]

Exemplary journalism from @Mike__Abram again in last week’s @FarmersWeekly this time on @Groundswellaguk session on precision breeding with @bofinfarmers @CristobalUauy @Beyond_GM Pat Thomas, Peter Lundgren & @niabgroup Elizabeth Stockdale

[@BofinFarmers @bofinfarmers]

“Plant breeding once meant bringing two books together. Now we can change a word in one sentence to meet new challenges.”

At the @economistimpact Future of Food Summit, Michael Keller from @SeedFed spoke with @tomallenstevens about precision breeding. 🌱

[PROBITY Project @probityproject_]

Our year one PROBITY Pioneer farmer trialists will be monitoring:
📸 Root growth (Shovelomics + imaging)
🌿 Crop health & disease
🌾 Yield at harvest

The results should indicate if the PROBITY varieties' traits are potential game changers!

[@BofinFarmers @bofinfarmers]

🌱A hands-on day at Morley Farms for BOFIN farmer trialists from @truth_project & @probityproject learning shovelomics and seeing the PES sensor in action!

We learned how these tools can help us understand more about what's going on beneath the surface.

[PROBITY Project @probityproject_]

The starting point for our EGT lines is Cadenza - a wheat variety bred in the 90s.

🌾It’s not about bringing back Cadenza
👉It’s about taking useful traits found in it & using modern breeding to bring them into elite varieties.

This year’s trials are the first step.

[PROBITY Project @probityproject_]

And a third with lower asparagine levels. This could lead to reduced acrylamide formation in wheat products when baked or toasted – a key issue for breakfast cereals, snacks and biscuits 🍞🍪

[PROBITY Project @probityproject_]

🔬 You’ll hear us talk about TILLING a lot in PROBITY. But what does it mean?

TILLING = Targeting Induced Local Lesions in Genomes.

It’s a method scientists have used since the mid-20th century to help identify useful traits in crops.

[PROBITY Project @probityproject_]

TILLING is treated as a conventional method under UK rules, so crops adapted this way can be grown on farms without restriction.

This year, PROBITY Pioneers are testing TILLING wheat lines where root genes (EGT1 & EGT2) have been 'knocked out' to grow steeper roots.

[PROBITY Project @probityproject_]

🔬 Knocking out these genes makes roots respond differently to gravity and grow more steeply.

Our PROBITY Pioneer trialists will compare these new lines against control plots to see how the trait performs under real-world conditions.

Could it help improve tolerance to drought?

[PROBITY Project @probityproject_]

Two tiny genes with big potential 👇

The PROBITY trials are testing wheat where the EGT1 or EGT2 - Enhanced Gravitropism - genes have been “knocked out” by a process called TILLING.

NB TILLING is not a precision-breeding method

[Andrew Robinson @andrewr1972]

W barley ✅️
1st Wheat ✅️
2nd Wheat ✅️
W Beans ✅️
Variety Trials ✅️
Bofin Trials ✅️
Pre em ✅️

Done drilling 2025, fantastic job by everyone at Heathcote Farms to get finished, conditions excellent, now the hard work begins!

[PROBITY Project @probityproject_]

This year’s PROBITY trials are all about root angle⬇️
Researchers have developed wheat lines where roots grow steeper, reaching deeper into the soil which could mean:
💧 Better access to water
🌿 Improved nutrient uptake
⚡ Greater resilience to drought

https://t.co/KozMLJWdLM

[PROBITY Project @probityproject_]

🌱 The PROBITY Pioneers are getting started - putting new wheat traits to the test in their fields.

👉 Year One is focusing on testing wheat lines developed with a method called TILLING, which changes how roots grow.

[PROBITY Project @probityproject_]

Precision breeding isn’t just in the hands of multinationals or Big Ag!

Farmers have the opportunity to⬆️development of PB crops. This project is bringing farmers & scientists together to ensure new traits deliver what growers want & need.

Join them👉https://t.co/77E93IRGmq

[PROBITY Project @probityproject_]

What’s in it for YOU?
Bigger grains = ⬆️yield
High-energy forage = ⬆️performance
Pest resistance = ⬇️chemicals

These are the traits we’re targeting with precision breeding.

Less risk. More margin.
👉 Learn more: https://t.co/q3vgbp3sjA
💰 Grow for us: https://t.co/77E93ISebY

[PROBITY Project @probityproject_]

Will consumers buy crops from precision-bred varieties?🛒

A major @foodgov survey shows most are open to it if it brings health, quality, environmental or other benefits. Swipe through to learn more.

@bofinfarmers @JohnInnesCentre @UKAgriTech @Rothamsted

[PROBITY Project @probityproject_]

What is Precision Breeding?🤔

Discover the science behind gene editing and how it could help shape the future of farming and food. See our knowledge guide available at https://t.co/QQ2Q1z0vsd

[@BofinFarmers @bofinfarmers]

Plant breeding is stepping into the spotlight! 🌾🇬🇧
BOFIN’s “A dance to dazzle” highlights how UK-grown crops, bred with farmers & scientists together, could thrive amid new trade barriers. A fresh beat for ag innovation.
🔗https://t.co/SR29g3g2T1

#PlantBreeding #BOFIN #AgTech

[@BofinFarmers @bofinfarmers]

The wellies have spoken! 🥾🗣️

Did you vote in the Wellies of Wisdom at one of our events this year? We can now reveal which traits matter the most to those that shared their views. Do you agree?

Read the full story here: https://t.co/uqKTRrQaLe