Cereal Killers

Dr. Russell Sharp explores perennial arable crops such as kernza, perennial rice, and sorghum; discussing their advantages (reduced tillage, deeper roots, soil health), current commercial status, and practical challenges such as lower yields, pests, and multi-year management. The episode also covers breeding and gene-editing targets to improve traits, global research efforts, and the potential for growing perennials in hydroponic systems and niche value markets. https://eutrema.co.uk/ Norman Borlaug — CIMMYT Sanjaya Rajaram — CIMMYT Surinder Vasal — CIMMYT Ravi Prakash Singh — CIMMYT Neelamraju G. P. Rao — Indian Agricultural Research Institute / Vasantrao Naik MAU Gebisa Ejeta — Purdue University Ronnie Coffman — IRRI / Cornell University Dilbagh S. Athwal — Punjab Agricultural University / IRRI William L. Brown — Pioneer Hi-Bred Richard Boyles — Clemson University John Holland — USDA Agricultural Research Service Stephen Jones — Kansas State University Jeffery Dahlberg — USDA Agricultural Research Service Kulvinder Gill — University of Saskatchewan Peter Langridge — University of Adelaide Matthew Reynolds — CIMMYT Mark Sorrells — Cornell University Jorge Dubcovsky — University of California Davis Peter Snape — NIAB Brian Quinlan — CSIRO Susan McCouch — Cornell University Guoyou Ye — Huazhong Agricultural University Rod Wing — University of Arizona Hei Leung — International Rice Research Institute Edgardo Ibanez — International Rice Research Institute Rajeev Varshney — University of Queensland David Mackill — University of California Riverside Takuji Sasaki — Kyoto University Qifa Zhang — Huazhong Agricultural University Yulin Jia — USDA Agricultural Research Service Acharya H. D. Upadhyaya — ICRISAT Ashok Kumar — ICRISAT Sean Mayes — ICRISAT Ephrem Habyarimana — ICRISAT Vijay Reddy — ICRISAT Tim Setter — Kansas State University David Jordan — Texas A&M University William Rooney — Texas A&M AgriLife Mark Burow — Texas A&M University Amir Ibrahim — Texas A&M University Jackie Rudd — Texas A&M University Dirk Hays — Texas A&M University Jesse Poland — Kansas State University Kuldeep Singh — CIMMYT Yiping Tong — CIMMYT B. S. Gill — University of Missouri Ian King — University of Adelaide David Hodson — CIMMYT Jose Hernandez Prado — CIMMYT Brian Moore — University of Minnesota Tom Blake — Montana State University Kent McCue — USDA Agricultural Research Service Hamlyn Jones — NIAB Graham Moore — John Innes Centre Tianyou Wang — Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences Lijia Qu — Institute of Crop Sciences, CAAS Jianfeng Xu — Sichuan Agricultural University Zonglie Hong — China Agricultural University Shizhong Xu — China National Rice Research Institute Jen-Tsung Chen — Taiwan Rice Research Institute Chih-Hsiung Huang — Taiwan Agricultural Research Institute Chris Proud — Rice Breeding Australia Guy McMullen — NSW Department of Primary Industries Maqbool Ahmad — RAGT Australia Sam Willsmore — LongReach Plant Breeders Vicki Kokolakis — Australian Grain Technologies Jacob Hayes — Australian Grain Technologies Simon Crane — Seednet Tara King — Nuseed Kirk Brehaut — RAGT Kristy Hobson — NSW Department of Primary Industries B. R. Barwale — Mahyco Abdul Shafi Ali — Agricultural Research Center, Egypt Getinet Gebeyehu — Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research Bement Gashawbeza — Debre Zeit Agricultural Research Center James Owuoche — Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization Mohammed Siddig — Sudan Agricultural Research Corporation Mahdi Ali — Agricultural Research Corporation, Sudan Ahmed Elwali — Agricultural Research Corporation, Sudan Ali Zeghida — Technical Institute of Field Crops, Algeria S. K. Singh — Indian Agricultural Research Institute R. K. Singh — Indian Council of Agricultural Research M. S. Swaminathan — M. S. Swaminathan Research Foundation N. K. Singh — Indian Agricultural Research Institute A. K. Singh — ICRISAT P. S. Rao — University of Hyderabad S. L. Sheshshayee — ICRISAT Bharat B. Chattoo — University of Delhi Bruce Roe — Clemson University Yves Vigouroux — CIRAD Ping Yu — Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences Mark Tucker — University of Nottingham June Simpson — CSIRO Tom Payne — CIMMYT Brian Steffenson — University of Minnesota Harold Stalker — USDA Agricultural Research Service Shyamal Talukder — Texas A&M University David Stelly — Texas A&M University Rajaram V. — CIMMYT Peter Snape — NIAB

Dr. Russell Sharp examines fertiliser products that claim to contain dozens to 90+ chemical elements, using the periodic table to show why many of those claims are impossible, radioactive, or potentially toxic. He explains that plants only need around a dozen essential nutrients (plus a few beneficials), points out which elements can’t realistically be present, and urges listeners to question manufacturers and check ingredient lists. https://eutrema.co.uk/shop/fertiliser/liquid-gold-unique-complete-fertiliser/   Croptec Cereals Diddly Squat Farm Jeremy Clarkson  

In this episode Dr. Russell Sharp explains trehalose 6‑phosphate (T6P) as a plant sucrose‑status signal and its potential to boost wheat yields. He compares products from SugarRox and Unium, discusses trial evidence, ROI claims, and the challenges of bringing a single‑compound biostimulant to market. Dr. Sharp also covers intellectual property and public‑sector spinouts, the need for larger independent field data, and why farmers may view biostimulants as optional investments. He finishes with notes on upcoming industry events and calls for more transparency and real‑world results. https://eutrema.co.uk/category/biostimulants/

Dr. Russell Sharp examines the severe crop losses in Latvia caused by heavy spring and late-season rainfall, flooding and seed washout that destroyed vegetables like onions, carrots, cabbages and potatoes. He explains how these conditions have left farmers facing large economic losses and likely increased imports and prices. The episode contrasts Latvia’s wet, unstable “climate frontline” with the UK’s recent drought conditions, touches on Estonia’s high organic output, and asks listeners for feedback on which season they prefer. https://eutrema.co.uk/shop/biostimulants/potassium-silicate-20-litres/

Dr. Russell Sharp revisits previous claims about ICL (formerly Israel Chemicals Limited), clarifying that there is no evidence they manufacture white phosphorus but detailing findings that ICL supplies white phosphorus to the US Army and onward to Israel, who use White Phosphorus against civilian populations. The episode also examines ICL’s sponsorship ties to an IDF battalion that has been filmed burning greenhouses in Gaza, the high proportion of staff serving in the Israeli military. https://eutrema.co.uk/