Finland

Organisation: MTT Agrifood Research Finland

Contact Name: Dr. Marjo Keskitalo / Markku Kontturi

Postal Address: MTT Agrifood Research Finland, E-house,
FIN-31600 Jokioinen, Finland

Tel: +358 3 4188 2462 / + 358 3 4188 2458
Fax: + 358 3 4188 2437
Email: marjo.Keskitalo@mtt.fi / markku.kontturi@mtt.fi
Website: http://www.mtt.fi


Personal Expertise of Contact:
Marjo Keskitalo: Crop physiology and agronomy of new and minor crops especially caraway (Carum carvi), buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum), dill (Anethum graveolens), linseed (Linum usitatissimum), quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa), tansy (Tanacetum vulgare), and woad (Isatis tinctoria). Expertise especially on secondary compounds of minor crops including biosynthesis, effect of biotic and abiotic factors on the accumulation, and application of compounds in food and non-food purposes. Interest also in biodiversity and in the role of minor crops to diversify crop production.

Markku Kontturi: Agronomy of cereals (barley, oats), especially effects of N on end-use quality. Grain legumes, buckwheat and spelt wheat: agronomy and cultivars. Photosynthesis, especially effect of N on photosynthesis and productivity of wheat and barley.

Expertise of Department/Organisation:
MTT Agrifood Research Finland is an expert body operating under the Finnish Ministery of Agriculture and Forestry. Today MTT employs over 900 people and has a budget over EURO 40 million for the year 2002. MTT produces and disseminates scientific research information and develops and promotes the transfer of new technology for the agriculture and sector as a whole. MTT's research, which covers the fields of biology, technology and agricultural economics, promotes the competitiveness of the food industry, the quality of the production environment and the rural environment in general, the vitality of rural areas and their interaction with urban areas, and welfare of consumers.

Crop Science develops production methods, techniques and farming systems, based on crop physiological know?how. By understanding the processes involved in growth, yield formation and the quality development of field crops under northern growing conditions we can increase productivity and yield stability and support the formation of desired quality characteristics. We develop methods to increase farming the profitability and help small entrepreneurs in rural areas. Researchers in Crop Science have expertise on different speciality crops. To these include new bio-energy, cereal, fiber, protein, and oil crops as well as crops producing valuable bio-molecules.