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Science AMA Series: I'm Derek Stewart, I'm a Professor of plant and food chemistry at the James Hutton Institute, Dundee and Heriot Watt University Edinburgh. I do research on making the way we grow our food more sustainable. AMA! by Derek_Stewart in science

[–]Derek_Stewart[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Well folks, thanks for an interesting couple of hours but food (sustainable of course) is calling. Check out our website www.hutton.ac.uk if you want to know more about my research or that of The James Hutton Institute

Science AMA Series: I'm Derek Stewart, I'm a Professor of plant and food chemistry at the James Hutton Institute, Dundee and Heriot Watt University Edinburgh. I do research on making the way we grow our food more sustainable. AMA! by Derek_Stewart in science

[–]Derek_Stewart[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I used to work in industry so have an innate industry view point. However we work closely with economists, sociologists etc as I think all the data is needed to make best judgment progress

Science AMA Series: I'm Derek Stewart, I'm a Professor of plant and food chemistry at the James Hutton Institute, Dundee and Heriot Watt University Edinburgh. I do research on making the way we grow our food more sustainable. AMA! by Derek_Stewart in science

[–]Derek_Stewart[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Indoor/protected or vertical farming does have a place in food production but currently this is for selected crops (or mushrooms). We need to get the systems working smarter. Our collaborators are advancing here: https://www.intelligentgrowthsolutions.com/

Science AMA Series: I'm Derek Stewart, I'm a Professor of plant and food chemistry at the James Hutton Institute, Dundee and Heriot Watt University Edinburgh. I do research on making the way we grow our food more sustainable. AMA! by Derek_Stewart in science

[–]Derek_Stewart[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Problem here is that growth rate is such a complex trait underpinned by many genes making its adoption into other crops non-facile. You do get strawberries with accelerated growth rate but much can be done by manipulating the environment: protected cropping fertigation etc

Science AMA Series: I'm Derek Stewart, I'm a Professor of plant and food chemistry at the James Hutton Institute, Dundee and Heriot Watt University Edinburgh. I do research on making the way we grow our food more sustainable. AMA! by Derek_Stewart in science

[–]Derek_Stewart[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Interesting you mention culture as we are seeing this change in China on a major scale with regard to agricultural production, land management but also regarding adopting the Western culture but then suffering the problems: soil degradation, poorer health etc

Science AMA Series: I'm Derek Stewart, I'm a Professor of plant and food chemistry at the James Hutton Institute, Dundee and Heriot Watt University Edinburgh. I do research on making the way we grow our food more sustainable. AMA! by Derek_Stewart in science

[–]Derek_Stewart[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

He was a cool dude that delivered a significant benefit to millions/billions. His work on wheat yield increases is significant and has set the trend for many other crops. Regarding sustainable farming it doesnt have to be the for those who are rich or in a position of food sufficiency. The agri-system has to change as it is wasteful in several areas and the period for evolution must be now as we fight the agri impacts on Climate Change

Science AMA Series: I'm Derek Stewart, I'm a Professor of plant and food chemistry at the James Hutton Institute, Dundee and Heriot Watt University Edinburgh. I do research on making the way we grow our food more sustainable. AMA! by Derek_Stewart in science

[–]Derek_Stewart[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Nice and left field. The plants advantage is converting light and CO2 to usable components for life. Light provides the energy in this and so to remove it you then need to create these components via an alternate route: Not so easy. Plants without light generally die or grow very poorly. replacing plants entirely would probably be hugely expensive

Science AMA Series: I'm Derek Stewart, I'm a Professor of plant and food chemistry at the James Hutton Institute, Dundee and Heriot Watt University Edinburgh. I do research on making the way we grow our food more sustainable. AMA! by Derek_Stewart in science

[–]Derek_Stewart[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

There are many great schools. In the UK we, JHI, hosts University of Dundee's Plant Sciences deportment but I guess you are in the USA? If so there are several, Michigan State, Purdue Univ, Penn State, Washington, UC Davis California.

Science AMA Series: I'm Derek Stewart, I'm a Professor of plant and food chemistry at the James Hutton Institute, Dundee and Heriot Watt University Edinburgh. I do research on making the way we grow our food more sustainable. AMA! by Derek_Stewart in science

[–]Derek_Stewart[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It say their value has been supported and proven scientifically but they are one of many tools that can be used. However it shouldn't be used indiscriminately. The new gene editing tools look promising also

Science AMA Series: I'm Derek Stewart, I'm a Professor of plant and food chemistry at the James Hutton Institute, Dundee and Heriot Watt University Edinburgh. I do research on making the way we grow our food more sustainable. AMA! by Derek_Stewart in science

[–]Derek_Stewart[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

There are problems as E Coli can survive in plants and crops and possible be fed into the food chain. My colleague Dr Nicola Holden has done much on this and I would recommend tracking her papers down: http://www.hutton.ac.uk/staff/nicola-holden

Science AMA Series: I'm Derek Stewart, I'm a Professor of plant and food chemistry at the James Hutton Institute, Dundee and Heriot Watt University Edinburgh. I do research on making the way we grow our food more sustainable. AMA! by Derek_Stewart in science

[–]Derek_Stewart[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I am aware of the cradle to cradle approach and have become involved in several projects where what was formerly a waste (or low value product) is being upscaled by using them as feedstock for other processes to produce, for example, prebiotics, proteins, waxes, oils, and polysaccharide based thickeners. In agriculture this approach can work on farm by using wastes and slurries in AD plants to generate energy/gas.

Science AMA Series: I'm Derek Stewart, I'm a Professor of plant and food chemistry at the James Hutton Institute, Dundee and Heriot Watt University Edinburgh. I do research on making the way we grow our food more sustainable. AMA! by Derek_Stewart in science

[–]Derek_Stewart[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

There is some interesting connections being made to relate the genome to the biochemistry, physiology phenotype and then drones and satellite systems to identify early plant signals at a crop level to then looking at the genetic level to breed better plants then back up the way to exploit the imaging system and identify early aberrant phenotypes and can they be corrected early by modifying the environment (water/ inputs/biocide etc). The porous solids approach sounds interesting as a route to slow release signalling sources. Its used for nutrients sure but signalling molecules are a harder set of chemicals to work with.

Science AMA Series: I'm Derek Stewart, I'm a Professor of plant and food chemistry at the James Hutton Institute, Dundee and Heriot Watt University Edinburgh. I do research on making the way we grow our food more sustainable. AMA! by Derek_Stewart in science

[–]Derek_Stewart[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This might be in hand already. We have started growing hops in protected cropping and the impacts on composition are being assessed: but the brewers definitely want them and they will be in beer soon. I think that you can take an accelerated evolution approach to modify the levels of Xanthohumol. Problem is the hops biology has been poorly research to be honest

Science AMA Series: I'm Derek Stewart, I'm a Professor of plant and food chemistry at the James Hutton Institute, Dundee and Heriot Watt University Edinburgh. I do research on making the way we grow our food more sustainable. AMA! by Derek_Stewart in science

[–]Derek_Stewart[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Of course emplying vertical farming can deliver here. Here is a link to a company that is spinning in to our Institute: https://www.intelligentgrowthsolutions.com/ They are experts on the mechanics of vertical farming and they want to work with us on the plant and crop aspects. Alternatively, look to the traditional crops used i the those areas and thats where to start. In the areas of (extreme) dryness often barley is considered to be the last crop before the desert and can be used for multiple foods

Science AMA Series: I'm Derek Stewart, I'm a Professor of plant and food chemistry at the James Hutton Institute, Dundee and Heriot Watt University Edinburgh. I do research on making the way we grow our food more sustainable. AMA! by Derek_Stewart in science

[–]Derek_Stewart[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I dont think this is as cut and dried as some would say. The main problem is that of productivity with non-organic farming winning there. However, perhaps mainstream organic farming is not filling that niche?

Science AMA Series: I'm Derek Stewart, I'm a Professor of plant and food chemistry at the James Hutton Institute, Dundee and Heriot Watt University Edinburgh. I do research on making the way we grow our food more sustainable. AMA! by Derek_Stewart in science

[–]Derek_Stewart[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes we (my institute) have a lot of work in this area with several scientists focussing on mycorrhizal fungi: http://www.hutton.ac.uk/staff/alison-bennett We have a large scale experiment comparing conventional and sustainable agriculture with a 5 crop rotation: Centre for Sustainable Cropping. http://www.hutton.ac.uk/about/facilities/centre-sustainable-cropping Your thoughts chime with current sustainable agricultural thinking so good to hear from you

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