IN BRIEF

9 October 1998

IN BRIEF

&#8226 SIGNING up of the three millionth acre for the Assured Combinable Crops Scheme will win one lucky farmer a three-day trip for two to a major European agricultural event, says scheme operator UKFQC. "We expect to pass this figure in the next three to four weeks," notes ACCS chairman Jonathan Tipples.

&#8226 GROWERS planning a switch to organic production can now register for a dedicated one-day training course with LANTRA, formerly the ATB. The course covers rotations, cropping programmes, likely problems and goal setting.

&#8226 KRISTA-K is the new high potassium fertiliser from Hydro Agris Speciality Fertilizers Division for use in fertigation of high-value crops and hydroponics. Fully soluble, it contains 46% potassium oxide plus 13.5% nitrogen.

&#8226 ANTI-FREEZE proteins produced by carrots could be used to improve crop frost tolerance and frozen food quality. By binding to newly formed ice crystals, the proteins prevent freezing damage in plant tissues. University of York scientists have already identified the gene which codes for the protein and transferred it to another species to improve its cold tolerance. &#42