Plant Breeding Institute, Cambridge

Abstract

BY agreement between the University of Cambridge, the Ministry of Agriculture and the Agricultural Research Council, it has been decided that, as soon as conditions become favourable, the Plant Breeding Institute at Cambridge shall be transferred from its existing site on the University Farm to one offering greater facilities to an increased staff. When the move is made, management by the University will be transferred to an independent body comparable with those which govern such agricultural research institutes as Rothamsted and East Mailing. Meanwhile, the Plant Breeding Institute will remain attached to the School of Agriculture at Cambridge as at present. The future expansion in plant breeding which is envisaged is a notable part of the general programme of development of agricultural research in Great Britain, financed by the Ministry of Agriculture in consultation with the Agricultural Research Council. The Institute will concern itself with the full range of arable and pasture crops grown in the eastern and drier parts of Britain, although the interests of other regions in certain crops will not be neglected. It already handles wheat, barley, oats, potatoes, sugar beet, beans, peas, lucerne and sainfoin, and in addition to expanding the work on these crops, others such as rapes, kales and certain herbage plants will be included. Fundamental breeding problems are envisaged as an important part of the Institute‘s programme in the future.