Overcoming the barriers to developing an environmentally sustainable novel berry crop (L. caerulea) suitable for the UK food system.

本研究的目的是为了更好地了解苜蓿的某些生物学和农艺性状。caerulea，这可能导致其作为一种新的水果作物被英国农业采用。L.我们需要更好地了解caerulea的生殖过程。自花受精的水平和不寻常的花形态对受精过程的影响需要澄清。这两个因素都将影响育种和农艺决策，因为实现高产是种植者采用作物的关键。很少有研究集中在英国气候是否适合种植L。蓝色的。将观察物候发育，并将其与MET天气数据以及冬季休眠的需要联系起来。营养成分也与气候和生长条件有关，因此决定了L。在英国种植的caerulea浆果对营销营养健康益处很重要。

The aim of the research is to better understand certain biological and agronomic traits of L. caerulea which could lead to its adoption as a novel fruit crop by the UK agricultural industry. L. caerulea's reproductive processes need to be better understood. Levels of self fertility and the impact of the unusual flower morphology on the fertilisation process need to be clarified. Both factors will impact breeding and agronomical decisions since achieving high yields is key to crop adoption by growers. Little research has focused on the suitability of the UK climate for growing L. caerulea. Phenological development will be observed and linked to MET weather data, as well as the need for winter dormancy. Nutrient content is also linked to climate and growing conditions so determining the chemical composition of L. caerulea berries grown in the UK is important for marketing nutritional health benefits.