Staff Profile:Professor Nick Battey

Name:

Professor Nick Battey

Job Title:

Academic/Head of Environmental Biology, AMS Building

Responsibilities:

Teaching:
Exploiters and Exploited
History and Philosophy of Science
Developmental Biology

Research Interests:
Flowering - physiology, molecular biology and development
Fruit crops – flowering, physiology and production
History of biology

Areas of Interest:

Collaborative Links:
Farm Advisory Services Team, Brogdale
Eden Project

Current Research Projects:
Maintenance and curation of the National Fruit Collection at Brogdale
Control of flower initiation and fruit production in perennial plants

2 post-docs and 3 students, Defra and industry support

Career history

I studied for a PhD at the University of Edinburgh, graduating in 1985. In this work I highlighted the significance of floral reversion in Impatiens balsamina for our understanding of flowering. During reversion, the flowering shoot apical meristem returns to leaf production via a series of petal-leaf intermediates (Figure 1; see also Battey & Lyndon 1990. Bot Rev 56, 162-89). For my post-doctoral research I moved to IHR, East Malling, where I described a new class of Ca²⁺-dependent, calmodulin-independent protein kinase (Battey & Venis 1988. Planta 176, 91-7). I was appointed to a lectureship at the University of Reading in 1988, and continued to develop both the flowering and Ca²⁺ aspects of my research, whilst teaching fruit crop production and plant developmental physiology in the newly-formed School of Plant Sciences.

The Ca²⁺ work concentrated on the annexins, a group of Ca²⁺-dependent phospholipid-binding proteins. I was interested in their role in exocytosis, an important Ca²⁺-regulated process in plant cell growth and differentiation (Thiel & Battey 1998. Plant Mol Biol 38, 111-25). I isolated cDNAs encoding the two major maize annexins during a Royal Society Industry Fellowship at Zeneca (now Syngenta) Jealott's Hill from 1994-5. I have done less work on Ca²⁺ and exocytosis since 2000, although I was a co-investigator on a recent BBSRC-funded project concerned with annexin function in root hair cells (collaboration with Dr Julia Davies, Cambridge and Professor Colin Brownlee, MBA Plymouth: Mortimer et al 2008. J Exp Bot 59, 533-44; Laohavisit et al 2009. Plant Cell, 21, 479-493).

The flowering work has continued with research on Impatiens (Ordidge et al 2005. Plant J 44, 985-1000; Chiurugwi et al 2007. New Phytol 173, 79-90), and the related area of perennial flowering in Fragaria vesca (Albani et al 2004. Theor Appl Genet 109, 571-9). Flowering has also formed the basis for the applied research programme of the Soft Fruit Technology Group, which is now managed by Dr Evangelos Tsormpatsidis. The Group has established a strong reputation for physiological research underpinning the production of soft fruit crops (strawberry, raspberry, blackcurrant), where flowering pattern is a crucial determinant of cropping time and productivity (e.g. Wagstaffe & Battey 2006. J Hort Sci & Biotech 81, 1086-92). Current SFTG work focuses on optimization of the health-beneficial properties of fruit crops by means of spectral filters (e.g. Tsormpatsidis et al., 2008. Env Exp Bot 63, 232-9). One major current activity is the long-term maintenance and curation of the National Fruit Collection at Brogdale, Kent on behalf of Defra. This is a collaboration with colleagues in the Centre for Horticulture and Landscape, and the Farm Advisory Services Team which is based at Brogdale.

Research groups / Centres:

Crops research group

Publications:

Y

Jump to: 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003

Number of items: 43.

2012

• Laohavisit, A., Shang, Z., Rubio, L., Cuin, T. A., Very, A.-A., Wang, A., Mortimer, J. C., Macpherson, N., Coxon, K. M., Battey, N. H., Brownlee, C., Park, O. K., Sentenac, H., Shabala, S., Webb, A. A. R. and Davies, J. M. (2012) Arabidopsis annexin1 mediates the radical-activated plasma membrane Ca2+ - and K+ -permeable conductance in root cells. The Plant Cell. ISSN 1040-4651 doi: 10.1105/tpc.112.097881 (In Press)

2011

• Ordidge, M., Garcia-Macias, P., Battey, N.H., Gordon, M.H., John, P., Lovegrove, J.A., Vysini, E., Wagstaffe, A. and Hadley, P. (2011) Development of colour and firmness in strawberry crops is UV light sensitive, but colour is not a good predictor of several quality parameters. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture. ISSN 0022-5142 doi: 10.1002/jsfa.4744 (In Press)
• Chiurugwi, T., Beaumont, M. A., Wilkinson, M. J. and Battey, N. H. (2011) Adaptive divergence and speciation among sexual and pseudoviviparous populations of Festuca. Heredity, 106. pp. 854-861. ISSN 1365-2540 doi: 10.1038/hdy.2010.128
• Tsormpatsidis, E., Ordidge, M., Henbest, R. G. C., Wagstaffe, A., Battey, N. H. and Hadley, P. (2011) Harvesting fruit of equivalent chronological age and fruit position shows individual effects of UV radiation on aspects of the strawberry ripening process. Environmental and Experimental Botany, 74. pp. 178-185. ISSN 0098-8472 doi: 10.1016/j.envexpbot.2011.05.01

2010

• Ordidge, M., García-Macías, P., Battey, N. H., Gordon, M. H., Hadley, P., John, P., Lovegrove, J. A., Vysini, E. and Wagstaffe, A. (2010) Phenolic contents of lettuce, strawberry, raspberry, and blueberry crops cultivated under plastic films varying in ultraviolet transparency. Food Chemistry, 119 (3). pp. 1224-1227. ISSN 0308-8146 doi: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2009.08.039
• Hamadine, E. I., Craufurd, P. Q., Battey, N. H. and Asiedu, R. (2010) In vitro micro-tuber initiation and dormancy in yam. Annals of Applied Biology, 157 (2). pp. 203-212. ISSN 0003-4746 doi: 10.1111/j.1744-7348.2010.00418.x
• Tooke, F. and Battey, N. H. (2010) Temperate flowering phenology. Journal of Experimental Botany, 61 (11). pp. 2853-2862. ISSN 0022-0957 doi: 10.1093/jxb/erq165
• Tsormpatsidis, E., Henbest, R. G. C., Battey, N. H. and Hadley, P. (2010) The influence of ultraviolet radiation on growth, photosynthesis and phenolic levels of green and red lettuce: potential for exploiting effects of ultraviolet radiation in a production system. Annals of Applied Biology, 157 (3). pp. 357-366. ISSN 0003-4746 doi: 10.1111/j.1744-7348.2010.00393.x

2009

• Laohavisit, A., Mortimer, J. C., Demidchik, V., Coxon, K. M., Stancombe, M. A., Macpherson, N., Brownlee, C., Hofmann, A., Webb, A. A. R., Miedema, H., Battey, N. H. and Davies, J. M. (2009) Zea mays annexins modulate cytosolic free Ca2+ and generate a Ca2+-permeable conductance. The Plant Cell, 21 (2). pp. 479-493. ISSN 1040-4651 doi: 10.1105/tpc.108.059550

2008

• Mortimer, J. C., Laohavisit, A., Macpherson, N., Webb, A., Brownlee, C., Battey, N. H. and Davies, J. M. (2008) Annexins: multifunctional components of growth and adaptation. Journal of Experimental Botany, 59 (3). pp. 533-544. ISSN 0022-0957 doi: 10.1093/jxb/erm344
• Tsormpatsidis, E., Henbest, R. G. C., Davis, F. J., Battey, N. H., Hadley, P. and Wagstaffe, A. (2008) UV irradiance as a major influence on growth, development and secondary products of commercial importance in Lollo Rosso lettuce 'Revolution' grown under polyethylene films. Environmental and Experimental Botany, 63 (1-3). pp. 232-239. ISSN 0098-8472 doi: 10.1016/j.envexpbot.2007.12.002

2007

• Garcia Macias, P., Ordidge, M., Vysini, E., Waroonphan, S., Battey, N.H., Gordon, M.H., Hadley, P., John, P., Lovegrove, J.A. and Wagstaffe, A. (2007) Changes in the flavonoid and phenolic acid contents and antioxidant activity of red leaf lettuce (Lollo Rosso) due to cultivation under plastic films varying in ultraviolet transparency. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 55 (25). pp. 10168-10172. ISSN 0021-8561 doi: 10.1021/jf071570m
• Garcia-Macias, P., Ordidge, M., Vysini, E., Waroonphan, S., Battey, N. H., Gordon, M. H., Hadley, P., John, P., Lovegrove, J. A. and Wagstaffe, A. (2007) Changes in the flavonoid and phenolic acid contents and antioxidant activity of red leaf lettuce (Lollo Rosso) due to cultivation under plastic films varying in ultraviolet transparency. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 55 (25). pp. 10168-10172. ISSN 0021-8561 doi: 10.1021/jf071570m
• Ile, E. I., Craufurd, P. Q., Asiedu, R. and Battey, N. H. (2007) Duration from vine emergence to flowering suggests a long-day or rate of change of photoperiod response in white yam (Dioscorea rotundata Poir.). Environmental and Experimental Botany, 60 (1). pp. 86-94. ISSN 0098-8472 doi: 10.1016/j.envexpbot.2006.06.009
• Chiurugwi, T., Pouteau, S., Nicholls, D., Tooke, F., Ordidge, M. and Battey, N. (2007) Floral meristem indeterminacy depends on flower position and is facilitated by acarpellate gynoecium development in Impatiens balsamina. New Phytologist, 173 (1). pp. 79-90. ISSN 0028-646X doi: 10.1111/j.1469-8137.2006.01899.x

2006

• Wagstaffe, A. and Battey, N. H. (2006) Characterisation of the thermodormancy response in the everbearing strawberry 'Everest'. Journal of Horticultural Science & Biotechnology, 81 (6). pp. 1086-1092. ISSN 1462-0316
• Ile, E. I., Craufurd, P. Q., Battey, N. H. and Asiedu, R. (2006) Phases of dormancy in yam tubers (Dioscorea rotundata). Annals of Botany, 97 (4). pp. 497-504. ISSN 0305-7364 doi: 10.1093/aob/mc1002
• Townsend, T. , Albani, M.C. , Wilkinson, M.J., Coupland, G. and Battey, N.H. (2006) The diversity and significance of flowering in perennials. In: Ainsworth, C. (ed.) Flowering and its manipulation. Blackwell Scientific, pp. 181-197. ISBN 9781405128087
• Sargent, D.J., Clarke, J., Simpson, D.W. , Tobutt, K.R. , Arus, P. , Monfort, A. , Vilanova, S. , Denoyes-Rothan, B., Rousseau, M., Folta, K.M. , Bassil, N.V. and Battey, N.H. (2006) An enhanced microsatellite map of diploid Fragaria. Journal Theoretical and Applied Genetics, 112 (7). pp. 1349-1359. ISSN 0040-5752 doi: 10.1007/s00122-006-0237-y
• Wagstaffe, A. and Battey, N. H. (2006) The optimum temperature for long-season cropping in the everbearing strawberry 'Everest'. In: Waite, G. (ed.) Proceedings of the Vth International Strawberry Symposium. Acta Horticulturae. International Society Horticultural Science, Leuven 1, pp. 45-49. ISBN 9066054999

2005

• Battey, N.H. (2005) Applications of plant architecture: haute cuisine for plant developmental biologists. In: Plant architecture and its manipulation. Blackwell Scientific, pp. 288-314. ISBN 9781405121286
• Ordidge, M., Chiurugwi, T., Tooke, F. and Battey, N. H. (2005) Leafy, terminal flower1 and agamous are functionally conserved but do not regulate terminal flowering and floral determinacy in Impatiens balsamina. Plant Journal, 44 (6). pp. 985-1000. ISSN 0960-7412 doi: 10.1111/j.1365-3113X.2005.02607.x
• Tooke, F., Ordidge, M., Chiurugwi, T. and Battey, N. (2005) Mechanisms and function of flower and inflorescence reversion. Journal of Experimental Botany, 56 (420). pp. 2587-2599. ISSN 0022-0957 doi: 10.1093/jxb/eri254
• Battey, N. H. and Simmonds, P. E. (2005) Phylloxera and the grapevine: a sense of common purpose? Journal of Experimental Botany, 56 (422). pp. 3029-3031. ISSN 0022-0957 doi: 10.1093/jxb/eri320

2004

• Wagstaffe, A. and Battey, N. H. (2004) Analysis of shade and temperature effects on assimilate partitioning in the everbearing strawberry 'Everest' as the basis for optimised long-season fruit production. Journal of Horticultural Science & Biotechnology, 79 (6). pp. 917-922. ISSN 1462-0316
• Sargent, D.J., Hadonou, A.M., Wilkinson, M. J., Battey, N.H., Hawkins, J.A. and Simpson, D.W. (2004) Cross-species amplification and phylogenetic reconstruction using fragaria microsatellite primers. Acta Horticulturae (ISHS), 649. pp. 87-92.
• De Camacaro, M. E. P., Camacaro, G. J., Hadley, P., Dennett, M. D., Battey, N. H. and Carew, J. G. (2004) Effect of plant density and initial crown size on growth, development and yield in strawberry cultivars Elsanta and Bolero. Journal of Horticultural Science & Biotechnology, 79 (5). pp. 739-746. ISSN 1462-0316
• Sargent, D.J., Geibel, M. , Hawkins, J.A. , Wilkinson, M.J. , Battey, N.H. and Simpson, D.W. (2004) Quantitative and qualitative differences in morphological traits revealed between diploid Fragaria species. Annals of Botany, 94 (6). pp. 787-796. ISSN 0305-7364 doi: 10.1093/aob/mch217
• Albani, M., Battey, N.H. and Wilkinson, M.J. (2004) The development of ISSR-derived SCAR markers around the Seasonal Flowering Locus (SFL) in fragaria vesca. Theoretical & Applied Genetics, 109 (3). pp. 571-579. ISSN 0040-5752 doi: 10.1007/s00122-004-1654-4
• Sargent, D., Davis, T.M., Tobutt, K.R. , Wilkinson, M.J. , Battey, N.H. and Simpson, D.W. (2004) A genetic linkage map of microsatellite, gene-specific and morphological markers in diploid Fragaria. Theoretical & Applied Genetics, 109 (7). pp. 1385-1391. ISSN 0040-5752 doi: 10.1007/s00122-004-1767-9

2003

• Tooke, F. and Battey, N.H. (2003) Models of shoot apical meristem function. New Phytologist, 159 (1). pp. 37-52. ISSN 0028-646X doi: 10.1046/j.1469-8137.2003.00803.x
• Battey, N.H. (2003) Plant culture: thirteen seasonal pieces. August - learning about summer. Journal of Experimental Botany, 54 (389). 1797 - 1799. ISSN 0022-0957 doi: 10.1093/jxb/erg225
• Battey, N.H. (2003) Plant culture: thirteen seasonal pieces. December - science and … life. Journal of Experimental Botany, 54 (393). pp. 2597-2600. ISSN 0022-0957 doi: 10.1093/jxb/erg313
• Battey, N.H. (2003) Plant culture: thirteen seasonal pieces. February - constructing a corymb. Journal of Experimental Botany, 54 (383). 605 - 608. ISSN 0022-0957 doi: 10.1093/jxb/erg108
• Battey, N.H. (2003) Plant culture: thirteen seasonal pieces. January - bark, the skin of a tree. Journal of Experimental Botany, 54 (381). 175 -178. ISSN 0022-0957 doi: 10.1093/jxb/erg075
• Battey, N.H. (2003) Plant culture: thirteen seasonal pieces. July - metamorphosis. Journal of Experimental Botany, 54 (388). 1641 - 1644. ISSN 0022-0957 doi: 10.1093/jxb/erg200
• Battey, N.H. (2003) Plant culture: thirteen seasonal pieces. June - cut grass. Journal of Experimental Botany, 54 (387). 1491 - 1493. ISSN 0022-0957 doi: 10.1093/jxb/erg172
• Battey, N.H. (2003) Plant culture: thirteen seasonal pieces. March - say it is ashboughs. Journal of Experimental Botany, 54 (384). 877 -878. ISSN 0022-0957 doi: 10.1093/jxb/erg109
• Battey, N.H. . (2003) Plant culture: thirteen seasonal pieces. May - two pictures of springtime. Journal of Experimental Botany, 54 (386). 1313 - 1316. ISSN 0022-0957 doi: 10.1093/jxb/erg168
• Battey, N.H. (2003) Plant culture: thirteen seasonal pieces. November - looking forward. Journal of Experimental Botany, 54 (392). 2389 - 2392. ISSN 0022-0957 doi: 10.1093/jxb/erg296
• Battey, N.H. (2003) Plant culture: thirteen seasonal pieces. October - the unnatural knowledge of colour. Journal of Experimental Botany, 54 (391). 2197 - 2200. ISSN 0022-0957 doi: 10.1093/jxb/erg260
• Battey, N.H. (2003) Plant culture: thirteen seasonal pieces. September - ideas of nature. Journal of Experimental Botany, 54 (390). 2003 - 2006. ISSN 0022-0957 doi: 10.1093/jxb/erg239
• Carew, J. G., Mahmood, K., Darby, J., Hadley, P. and Battey, N. H. (2003) The effect of temperature, photosynthetic photon flux density, and photoperiod on the vegetative growth and flowering of 'Autumn Bliss' raspberry. Journal of the American Society for Horticultural Science, 128 (3). pp. 291-296. ISSN 0003-1062

This list was generated on Fri May 25 00:26:56 2012 BST.

 

Pre 2003

Battey, N.H. and Tooke, F. Molecular control and variation in the floral transition. Current Opinion in Plant Biology, 5, 2002, 62-68.

Cekic, C., Battey, N.H. and Wilkinson, M.J. The potential of ISSR-PCR primer pair combinations for genetic linkage analysis using the seasonal flowering locus in Fragaria as a model. Theoretical and Applied Genetics, 103, 2001, 540-546.

Tooke, F. and Battey, N.H. A leaf derived-signal is a quantitative determinant of floral form in Impatiens. The Plant Cell, 12, 2000, 1837-1848.