Four new fresh produce research projects have won funding from the latest round of the Agri-Tech Catalyst fund in areas including hydroponics, vertical farming and SWD research.
Salad grower Vale Fresco is partnering with urban farming technology firm Saturn Bioponics to test the viability of vertical growing system ‘Saturn Grower’ in commercial farming.
Herb grower Lincolnshire Herbs along with APS Salads, Sharp Laboratories and May Barn Horticultural have won funding for a project that will aim to better control nitrate use in hydroponic growing systems.
The study will see a new sensor, which can be used to continuously measure the nitrate concentration in irrigation water, used at commercial hydroponic farms, allowing continuous nitrate monitoring for the first time.
In another project, scientists at East Malling Research and the University of Greenwich will use funding to develop a more species-specific attractant for SWD traps. Described as a ‘super lure’, the project is backed by new biopesticide firm Real IPM and grower group Berry Gardens.
Another project, headed up by Haygrove Tunnels, Berry Gardens and Finlays Horticulture, will develop a range of novel greenhouse film cladding materials.
The latest round of Agri-Tech Catalyst funding has awarded a total of £17.8 million to a range of agricultural innovation projects.
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