Richard Ellis

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+44 (0) 118 378 8488
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Professor
Professor of Crop Production
Areas of interest
In the broadest sense, my research covers reproductive crop plant biology and the effect of environment on seeds, plants and crops. Research on seeds includes:
- Seed quality development
- Seed storage (including the seed viability equation)
- Seed dormancy
- Germination (including seed testing and crop establishment)
These interests in anhydrous biology extend to related aspects in fungal spores and pollen.
The application of much of the seed research has been within the international networks of gene-banks; i.e. long-term seed stores for plant genetic resources conservation (one element of biodiversity conservation). This seed science and biodiversity conservation research covers the full range of flowering plants, agricultural and horticultural crops, forest species (trees and shrubs), and wild species.
Research on flowering has been concerned ultimately with crop adaptation, by determining the quantitative effects of temperature and photoperiod on flowering (and hence whether or not grain and seed production will be successful). Climate change impacts research has been concerned with the possibility of interactions between the effects of increased CO2 and temperature and the effect of climate variability (i.e. extreme events at vulnerable stages of crop development) on crop production and crop quality, including the effects of environment and agronomy on grain and especially seed quality development from successful (or not) seed set onwards.
Teaching
Teaching and research in seed and crop physiology and production in relation to:
- Agriculture
- Horticulture
- Biodiversity conservation.
Research centres and groups
Publications
- Biss, A. and Ellis, R. (2022) Weather potential for high-quality still wine from Chardonnay viticulture in different regions of the UK with climate change. OENO One , 56 (4). pp. 201-220. ISSN: 2494-1271 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.20870/oeno-one.2022.56.4.5458
- Addy, J. , Ellis, R. , MacLaren, C. , Macdonald, A. , Semenov, M. , Mead, A. (2022) A heteroskedastic model of park grass spring hay yields in response to weather suggests continuing yield decline with climate change in future decades. Journal of the Royal Society Interface , 19 (193). ISSN: 1742-5662 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1098/rsif.2022.0361
- Ellis, R. (2022) Seed ageing, survival, and the improved seed viability equation; forty years on. Seed Science and Technology , 50 (Suppl. 1). pp. 1-20. ISSN: 0251-0952 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.15258/sst.2022.50.1.s.01
- Ellis, R. (2022) The J. Derek Bewley Career Lecture. Seeds-plants-crops-biodiversity-environment-people: illustrating understanding and ideas. Seed Science Research , 32 (3). pp. 118-125. ISSN: 0960-2585 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0960258521000295
- Addy, J. , Ellis, R. , Macdonald, A. , Semenov, M. , Mead, A. (2021) Changes in agricultural climate in South-Eastern England from 1892 to 2016 and differences in cereal and permanent grassland yield. Agricultural and Forest Meteorology , 308-309 ISSN: 0168-1923 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.agrformet.2021.108560
- Biss, A. and Ellis, R. (2021) Modelling Chablis vintage quality in response to inter-annual variation in weather. OENO One , 55 (3). pp. 209-228. ISSN: 2494-1271 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.20870/oeno-one.2021.55.3.4709
- Addy, J. , Ellis, R. , Macdonald, A. , Semenov, M. , Mead, A. (2021) The impact of weather and increased atmospheric CO2 from 1892 to 2016 on simulated yields of UK wheat. Journal of the Royal Society Interface , 18 (179). ISSN: 1742-5662 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1098/rsif.2021.0250
- Hay, F. , Whitehouse, K. , Ellis, R. , Sackville Hamilton, N. , Lusty, C. , Ndjiondjop, M. , Tia, D. , Wenzl, P. , Santos, L. , Yazbek, M. , Azevedo, V. , Peerzada, O. , Abberton, M. , Oyatomi, O. , Guzman, F. , Capilit, G. , Muchugi, A. , Kinyanjui, Z. (2021) CGIAR genebank viability data reveal inconsistencies in seed collection management. Global Food Security , 30 ISSN: 2211-9124 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.gfs.2021.100557
- Zulu, D. , Ellis, R. , Culham, A. (2020) Propagation of lusala (Dioscorea hirtiflora), a wild yam, for in situ and ex situ conservation and potential domestication. Experimental Agriculture , 56 (3). pp. 453-468. ISSN: 0014-4797 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0014479720000083
- Hanson, J. and Ellis, R. (2020) Progress and challenges in ex situ conservation of forage germplasm: grasses, herbaceous legumes and fodder trees. Plants , 9 ISSN: 2223-7747 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.3390/plants9040446
- Newton, R. , Hay, F. , Ellis, R. (2020) Temporal patterns of seed germination in early spring-flowering temperate woodland geophytes are modified by warming. Annals of Botany , 125 (7). pp. 1013-1023. ISSN: 1095-8290 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1093/aob/mcaa025
- Addy, J. , Ellis, R. , Macdonald, A. , Semenov, M. , Mead, A. (2020) Investigating the effects of inter-annual weather variation (1968- 2016) on the functional response of cereal grain yield to applied nitrogen, using data from the Rothamsted Long-Term experiments. Agricultural and Forest Meteorology , 284 ISSN: 0168-1923 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.agrformet.2019.107898
- Abdul Rahman, S. and Ellis, R. (2019) Seed quality in rice is most sensitive to drought and high temperature in early seed development. Seed Science Research , 29 (4). pp. 238-249. ISSN: 0960-2585 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0960258519000217
- Ellis, R. (2019) Temporal patterns of seed quality development, decline, and timing of maximum quality during seed development and maturation. Seed Science Research , 29 (2). pp. 135-142. ISSN: 0960-2585 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0960258519000102
- Tejakhod, S. , Ellis, R. , Hammond, J. (2019) The effects of introgression of the Submergence1 allele into rice cultivar IR64 on post-harvest seed dormancy and longevity. Seed Science and Technology , 47 (1). pp. 93-101. ISSN: 0251-0952 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.15258/sst.2019.47.1.10
- Ellis, R. , Nasehzadeh, M. , Hanson, J. , Ndiwa, N. , Woldemariam, Y. (2019) Medium-term seed storage of diverse genera of forage grasses, evidence-based genebank monitoring intervals, and regeneration standards. Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution , 66 (3). pp. 723-734. ISSN: 1573-5109 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10722-019-00748-y
- Zulu, D. , Ellis, R. , Culham, A. (2019) Collection, consumption and sale of lusala (Dioscorea hirtiflora), a wild yam, by rural households in the Southern Province of Zambia. Economic Botany , 73 (1). pp. 47-63. ISSN: 0013-0001 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s12231-018-9433-3
- Yadav, G. and Ellis, R. (2018) Longevity of 285 seed lots of wheat in hermetic storage compared with independent estimates from the seed viability equation. Seed Science and Technology , 46 (2). pp. 341-347. ISSN: 0251-0952 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.15258/sst.2018.46.2.14
- Whitehouse, K. , Hay, F. , Ellis, R. (2018) Improvement in rice seed storage longevity from high-temperature drying is a consistent positive function of harvest moisture content above a critical value. Seed Science Research , 28 (4). pp. 332-339. ISSN: 1475-2735 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0960258518000211
- Leon-Lobos, P. and Ellis, R. (2018) Comparison of seed desiccation sensitivity amongst Castanea sativa, Quercus ilex and Q. cerris. Seed Science and Technology , 46 pp. 233-237. ISSN: 0251-0952 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.15258/sst.2018.46.2.05
- Tejakhod, S. , Hammond, J. , Ellis, R. (2018) Foliar application of molybdenum reduces yield loss and pre-harvest sprouting in japonica rice seed subjected to simulated flooding during seed development and maturation. Seed Science and Technology , 46 (1). pp. 175-189. ISSN: 0251-0952 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.15258/sst.2018.46.1.17
- Tejakhod, S. and Ellis, R. (2018) Effect of simulated flooding during rice seed development and maturation on subsequent seed quality. Seed Science Research , 28 (1). pp. 72-81. ISSN: 0960-2585 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0960258517000368
- Ellis, R. , Nasehzadeh, M. , Hanson, J. , Woldemariam, Y. (2018) Medium-term seed storage of 50 genera of forage legumes and evidence-based genebank monitoring intervals. Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution , 65 (2). pp. 607-623. ISSN: 0925-9864 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10722-017-0558-5
- Whitehouse, K. , Hay, F. , Ellis, R. (2017) High-temperature stress during drying improves subsequent rice (Oryza sativa L.) seed longevity. Seed Science Research , 27 (4). pp. 281-291. ISSN: 0960-2585 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0960258517000277
- Nasehzadeh, M. and Ellis, R. (2017) Wheat seed weight and quality differ temporally in sensitivity to warm or cool conditions during seed development and maturation. Annals of Botany , 120 (3). pp. 479-493. ISSN: 0305-7364 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1093/aob/mcx074
- Yadav, G. and Ellis, R. (2017) Effects of rain shelter or simulated rain during grain filling and maturation on subsequent wheat grain quality in the UK. Journal of Agricultural Science , 155 (2). pp. 300-316. ISSN: 1469-5146 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0021859616000411
- Yadav, G. and Ellis, R. (2016) Development of ability to germinate and of longevity in air-dry storage in wheat seed crops subjected to rain shelter or simulated supplementary rainfall. Seed Science Research , 26 (4). pp. 332-341. ISSN: 0960-2585 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0960258516000209
- Ellis, R. and Yadav, G. (2016) Effect of simulated rainfall during wheat seed development and maturation on subsequent seed longevity is reversible. Seed Science Research , 26 (1). pp. 67-76. ISSN: 0960-2585 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0960258515000392
- Whitehouse, K. , Hay, F. , Ellis, R. (2015) Increases in the longevity of desiccation-phase developing rice seeds: response to high temperature drying depends on harvest moisture content. Annals of Botany , 116 (2). pp. 247-259. ISSN: 0305-7364 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1093/aob/mcv091
- Newton, R. , Hay, F. , Ellis, R. (2015) Ecophysiology of seed dormancy and the control of germination in early spring-flowering Galanthus nivalis and Narcissus pseudonarcissus (Amaryllidaceae). Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 177 (2). pp. 246-262. ISSN: 0024-4074 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1111/boj.12240
- Coast, O. , Murdoch, A. , Ellis, R. , Hay, F. , Jagadish, K. (2015) Resilience of rice (Oryza spp.) pollen germination and tube growth to temperature stress. Plant, Cell & Environment , 39 (1). pp. 26-37. ISSN: 0140-7791 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1111/pce.12475
- Coast, O. , Ellis, R. , Murdoch, A. , Quiñones, C. , Jagadish, K. (2015) High night temperature induces contrasting responses for spikelet fertility, spikelet tissue temperature, flowering characteristics and grain quality in rice. Functional Plant Biology , 42 (2). pp. 149-161. ISSN: 1445-4408 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1071/FP14104
- Martínez-Eixarch, M. and Ellis, R. (2015) Temporal sensitivity of rice seed development from spikelet fertility to viable mature seed to extreme-temperature. Crop Science , 55 (1). pp. 354-364. ISSN: 0011-183X | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.2135/cropsci2014.01.0042
- Lima, M. , Hong, T. , Arruda, Y. , Mendes, A. , Ellis, R. (2014) Classification of seed storage behaviour of 67 Amazonian tree species. Seed Science and Technology , 42 (3). pp. 363-392. ISSN: 0251-0952 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.15258/sst.2014.42.3.06
- Newton, R. , Hay, F. , Ellis, R. (2013) Seed development and maturation in early spring-flowering Galanthus nivalis and Narcissus pseudonarcissus continues post-shedding with little evidence of maturation in planta. Annals of Botany , 111 (5). pp. 945-955. ISSN: 1095-8290 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1093/aob/mct051
- Ellis, R. (2011) Rice seed quality development and temperature during late development and maturation. Seed Science Research , 21 (2). pp. 95-101. ISSN: 0960-2585 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0960258510000425
- Hay, F. , Smith, R. , Ellis, R. , Butler, L. (2010) Developmental changes in the germinability, desiccation tolerance, hardseededness, and longevity of individual seeds of Trifolium ambiguum. Annals of Botany , 105 (6). pp. 1035. ISSN: 0305-7364 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1093/aob/mcq037
- Perez-Garcia, . , Gomez-Campo, . , Ellis, . (2009) Successful long-term ultra dry storage of seed of 15 species of Brassicaceae in a genebank: variation in ability to germinate over 40 years and dormancy. Seed Science and Technology , 37 (3). pp. 640-649. ISSN: 0251-0952
- Butler, . , Hay, . , Ellis, . , Smith, . , Murray, . (2009) Priming and re-drying improve the survival of mature seeds of Digitalis purpurea during storage. Annals of Botany , 103 (8). pp. 1261-1270. ISSN: 0305-7364 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1093/aob/mcp059
- Butler, . , Hay, . , Ellis, . , Smith, . (2009) Post-abscission, pre-dispersal seeds of Digitalis purpurea remain in a developmental state that is not terminated by desiccation ex planta. Annals of Botany , 103 (5). pp. 785-794. ISSN: 0305-7364 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1093/aob/mcn254
- Ellis, . , Mai-Hong, . , Hong, . , Tan, . , Xuan-Chuong, . , Hung, . , Ngoc-Tam, . , Le-Tam, . (2007) Comparative analysis by protocol and key of seed storage behaviour of sixty Vietnamese tree species. Seed Science and Technology , 35 (2). pp. 460-476. ISSN: 0251-0952
- Ellis, . and Hong, . (2007) Quantitative response of the longevity of seed of twelve crops to temperature and moisture in hermetic storage. Seed Science and Technology , 35 (2). pp. 432-444. ISSN: 0251-0952
- Ellis, . and Hong, . (2007) Seed longevity - moisture content relationships in hermetic and open storage. Seed Science and Technology , 35 (2). pp. 423-431. ISSN: 0251-0952
- Usberti, . , Roberts, . , Ellis, . (2006) Prediction of cottonseed longevity. Pesquisa Agropecuaria Brasileira , 41 (9). pp. 1435-1441. ISSN: 0100-204X | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0100-204X2006000900013
- Pepler, . , Gooding, . , Ellis, . (2006) Modelling simultaneously water content and dry matter dynamics of wheat grains. Field Crops Research , 95 (1). pp. 49-63. ISSN: 0378-4290 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.fcr.2005.02.001
- Mai-Hong, . , Hong, . , Hien, . , Hai, . , Tung, . , Le-Tam, . , Ngoc-Tam, . , Ellis, . (2006) Seed development, maturation and storage behaviour of Mimusops elengi L. New Forests , 32 (1). pp. 9-19. ISSN: 0169-4286 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11056-005-3144-1
- Garcia, . , Hong, . , Ellis, . (2006) Seed dormancy and germination of Ficus lundellii and tropical forest restoration. Tree Physiology , 26 (1). pp. 81-85. ISSN: 0829-318X | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1093/treephys/26.1.81
- Ellis, . and Hong, . (2006) Temperature sensitivity of the low-moisture-content limit to negative seed longevity-moisture content relationships in hermetic storage. Annals of Botany , 97 (5). pp. 785-791. ISSN: 0305-7364 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1093/aob/mcl035
- Pepler, . , Gooding, . , Ford, . , Ellis, . , Jones, . (2005) Delaying senescence of wheat with fungicides has interacting effects with cultivar on grain sulphur concentration but not with sulphur yield or nitrogen: sulphur ratios. European Journal of Agronomy , 22 (4). pp. 405-416. ISSN: 1161-0301 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.eja.2004.06.006
- Pepler, . , Gooding, . , Ford, . , Ellis, . (2005) A temporal limit to the association between flag leaf life extension by fungicides and wheat yields. European Journal of Agronomy , 22 (4). pp. 363-373. ISSN: 1161-0301 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.eja.2004.06.002
- Pepler, . , Gooding, . , Ellis, . (2005) A conjoint model of grain water content and dry matter during grain development in wheat. Journal of Agricultural Science , 143 pp. 321 (Abstract). ISSN: 0021-8596 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0021859605005472
- Lima, . , Ellis, . , Hong, . , Ferraz, . (2005) Drying method influences the development of germinability, dessication tolerance and subsequent longevity of immature seeds of sumauma (Ceiba pentandra (L.) Gaertn. [Bombacaceae]). Seed Science and Technology , 33 (1). pp. 147-156. ISSN: 0251-0952
- Lima, . and Ellis, . (2005) Seed survival of four tropical tree species in response to environment. Seed Science and Technology , 33 (1). pp. 157-166. ISSN: 0251-0952
- Leon-Lobos, . and Ellis, . (2005) Seed survival in Chilean Nothofagus in response to desiccation and storage. Seed Science Research , 15 (2). pp. 113-123. ISSN: 0960-2585 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1079/ssr2005204
- Kindred, . , Gooding, . , Ellis, . (2005) Nitrogen fertilizer and seed rate effects on Hagberg failing number of hybrid wheats and their parents are associated with alpha-amylase activity, grain cavity size and dormancy. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture , 85 (5). pp. 727-742. ISSN: 0022-5142 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1002/jsfa.2025
- Hong, . , Ellis, . , Tam, . , Le Tam, . (2005) Effects of desiccation on seed germination, cracking, fungal infection and survival in storage of Sterculia foetida L. Seed Science and Technology , 33 (3). pp. 705-712. ISSN: 0251-0952
- Hong, . , Ellis, . , Astley, . , Pinnegar, . , Groot, . , Kraak, . (2005) Survival and vigour of ultra-dry seeds after ten years of hermetic storage. Seed Science and Technology , 33 (2). pp. 449-460. ISSN: 0251-0952
- Hong, . , Edgington, . , Ellis, . , de Muro, . , Moore, . (2005) Saturated salt solutions for humidity control and the survival of dry powder and oil formulations of Beauveria bassiana conidia. Journal of Invertebrate Pathology , 89 (2). pp. 136-143. ISSN: 0022-2011 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jip.2005.03.007
- Wheeler, . , Daymond, . , Morison, . , Ellis, . , Hadley, . (2004) Acclimation of photosynthesis to elevated CO2 in onion (Allium cepa) grown at a range of temperatures. Annals of Applied Biology , 144 (1). pp. 103-111. ISSN: 0003-4746 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1744-7348.2004.tb00322.x
- Pepler, . , Gooding, . , Ellis, . (2004) Associations between fungicide effects on grain water and dry matter contents during maturation of winter wheat.
- Le Tam, . , Hong, . , Ellis, . , Ngoc-Tam, . (2004) Seed storage of Avicennia alba B1. Seed Science and Technology , 32 (2). pp. 531-536. ISSN: 0251-0952
- Hung, . , Hong, . , Ellis, . (2004) Factors influencing the germination of myrtle (Lagerstroemia speciosa (L.) Pers. and L-floribunda Jack) seeds. Seed Science and Technology , 32 (1). pp. 35-41. ISSN: 0251-0952
- Pepler, . , Gooding, . , Ellis, . (2003) The effects of fungicides on grain water and dry matter contents during maturation of winter wheat. Bcpc International Congress Crop Science & Technology 2003, Vol 1 and 2, Congress Proceedings. British Crop Protection Council , Farnham. pp. 975-978. ISBN: 1901396630
- Mai-Hong, . , Hong, . , Hien, . , Ellis, . (2003) Onset of germinability, desiccation tolerance and hardseededness in developing seeds of Peltophorum pterocarpum (DC) K. Heyne (Caesalpinioideae). Seed Science Research , 13 (4). pp. 323-327. ISSN: 0960-2585 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1079/ssr2003149
- Lyall, . , Ellis, . , John, . , Hedley, . , Wang, . (2003) Mutant alleles at the rugosus loci in pea affect seed moisture sorption isotherms and the relations between seed longevity and moisture content. Journal of Experimental Botany , 54 (381). pp. 445-450. ISSN: 0022-0957 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1093/jxb/erg059
- Lyall, . , Ellis, . , John, . , Hedley, . , Wang, . (2003) Seed quality development in wrinkle-seeded mutant peas (Pisum sativum). CABI Publishing, Wallingford, Oxon
- Léon-Lobos, . and Ellis, . (2003) Low-moisture-content limits to Nothofagus seed longevity. In: Smith, . , Dickie, . , Linington, . , Pritchard, . , Probert, . , (eds.) Seed Conservation: Turning Science into Practice. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew pp. 785-795. ISBN: 1842460528
- Gooding, . , Ellis, . , Shewry, . , Schofield, . (2003) Effects of restricted water availability and increased temperature on the grain filling, drying and quality of winter wheat. Journal of Cereal Science , 37 (3). pp. 295-309. ISSN: 0733-5210 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1006/jcrs.2002.0501
- Ellis, . (2003) What the public want from agriculture: Introduction..
- Ellis, . (2003) Temperate and tropical tree seed physiology and the economy of nature.. Seed Technology , 25 pp. 69-77.