Intelligent plants, genetic fingerprinting and GM crops will increase profitability in fresh produce production, according to a leading UK research & development (r&d) specialist.

Speaking at the Horticulture in Focus conference in London on February, HRI chief executive Professor Michael Wilson told delegates that developments in plant science and technology meant a new vista was opening up to improve pest resistance and crop quality.

He said that the long-term strategy of r&d was to exploit such knowledge to create wealth for producers.

Wilson gave his audience an overview of recent developments, saying some methods could help improve productivity while cutting costs.

He referred to Lidar technology, which uses crop information to adjust spraying frequency and chemical imputs; multiplex chip technology, which identifies viruses in plants, enabling faster diagnosis and treatment; and temperature integration systems used in conjunction with thermal sensors that allow glasshouse plants to decide when they need to be heated.

He said producers could also save money and reduce pesticide applications by growing genetically modified (GM) seeds - insisting there was no evidence to show they were dangerous to consumers.

'GM is a very efficient way to improve seeds and control pest and disease,' he said. 'In 1997, 350 US farmers saved $464m on labour and pesticide costs through GM crops.' And Wilson hailed genomics - genetic finger-printing - as a particularly exciting development that would transform the fresh produce sector by significantly accelerate plant breeding.

'It will have a huge impact on understanding pest control in different crops. It will be possible to do pretty much anything we want. You can isolate and characterise genes for improvements and so improve product quality - such as its flavour, shelf life or texture.'

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