Trials to enhance the quality and shelf life of soft fruit have been prioritised at the Cranfield University plant science laboratory.
The project will start in the New Year following the completion of a £150,000 research glasshouse, according to Dr Leon Terry, head of the laboratory.
The 230sqm eight-span Venlo, built by Hortimax in east Yorkshire, has three controlled growing zones, that allow several trials to take place at the same time.
The structure was sponsored by a number of institutions and companies, including Higher Education Funding Council, Bedfordshire Growers, the Moulton Bulb Company, the Horticultural Development Council, GSK and KG Fruits, and was officially opened last week by Dame Deirdre Hutton, chair of the Food Standards Agency.
“Its state-of-the-art temperature-controlled environment will enable Cranfield to manage high-quality horticultural experiments,” she said. “I hope that the use of this facility will ultimately lead to benefits for the consumer.”
The facility replaces an old glasshouse at the university’s other site, Silsoe.
Dr Terry added there would be continuing study of the health-related effects of fruit and ripeness tests, as well as work on a whole range of crops, including salads, potatoes and flowers.
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