Public Funding for Edt Direct Ion Limited

UK strawberry and raspberry growers produced 119 and 16KT of fruit, respectively, in 2022, worth £506M (DefraStats), but production/ha must further increase to reduce reliance on imports (59 and 27KT, worth £383M in 2022). Continued growth is needed to displace these often-inferior imports, but this must be achieved on a sustainable basis through efficient utilisation of valuable resources (primarily water and inorganic fertilisers) with minimal environmental impact. Soft fruit growers know that a sub-optimal supply of macro- and micro-nutrients will limit marketable yields and berry quality, but most guidelines on fertiliser inputs are very outdated, and there is little scientific basis to current practices which often wastes water, lowers berry firmness, flavour, and shelf-life, and poses a risk to local groundwater quality. Furthermore, excessive Nitrogen input increases N2O emissions as a result of denitrification. N2O emissions account for ca. 44% (global warming potential \[GWP\] basis) of the total agriculture-related GHG emissions. CO2 has a GWP value of 1 while that of N2O is 298, making the latter a more potent GHG. Reducing Nitrogen inputs in agriculture and horticulture by more closely matching demand with supply will help to reduce N2O emissions, but this is a risky strategy without reliable guidelines and monitoring technologies. Our nutrient demand modelling work in IUK102124 showed that N input to substrate-grown raspberry could be reduced by 32% without affecting marketable yields and berry quality, and overall water and fertiliser demand was lowered by 20% due to a reduction in plant biomass (less luxuriant growth). In follow-up feasibility project IUK51135, we developed a prototype hand-held, real-time sensor that growers can use to determine N and K availabilities to inform fertigation decision-making. A prototype phosphorus sensor was also developed in 51135\. Here, we propose to combine novel and existing technologies with plant environmental sciences, new mathematical inputs, novel software and algorithms, and expert commercial soft fruit growing to develop and commercialise data-driven precision fertigation strategies that will support full cropping potential whilst optimising resource use, increasing crop resilience, and lowering emissions. We have assembled a multi-disciplinary and collaborative consortium led by EDT directION (agri-tech sensor manufacturer), with Netafim UK (global irrigation/fertigation company), New Farm Produce (a leading, innovations-driven soft fruit business), and NIAB (the largest UK research institute conducting applied research in horticulture). We have a strong track record of delivering results and commercialising outputs from IUK grants.

Soft fruit is an exciting product area with excellent growth potential. Although UK soft production is growing by ca. 8%/year, **demand for** berries by UK consumers still exceeds supply. Continued growth is needed to displace often inferior imports, but this must be achieved on a sustainable basis through efficient utilisation of valuable resources (primarily water and inorganic fertilisers) and minimal environmental impact. Soft fruit growers know that a sub-optimal supply of macro- and micro-nutrients will limit marketable yields and berry quality, but most guidelines on fertiliser inputs are hopelessly outdated. These formulations are often adjusted based on anecdotal observations by growers and agronomists, but there is little scientific basis to these amendments and many unneeded macro- and micro-nutrients accumulate in the substrate. Growers then apply irrigation flushing events to remove these harmful so-called "ballast ions" which wastes water, can result in lowered berry firmness, flavour and shelf-life, and poses a risk to local groundwater quality. Excessive N inputs often result in elevated emissions of N2O as a result of denitrification, and N2O emissions account for ca.44% (global warming potential \[GWP\] basis) of the total agriculture-related GHG emissions. CO2 has a GWP value of 1 while N2O has a value of 298, making the latter a more potent GHG. Reducing N inputs in agriculture and horticulture by more closely matching demand with supply should help to reduce N2O emissions, but this is a risky strategy if guidelines and monitoring sensors are not available. Our nutrient demand modelling work in IUK 102124 showed that N input to substrate-grown raspberry could be reduced by 32% without affecting marketable yields and berry quality, and overall water and fertiliser demand was lowered by 20% due to a reduction in plant biomass (less luxuriant growth). In a follow-up project IUK 102640, we have developed a prototype AI-based nitrogen / phosphorous / potassium (NPK) real-time sensor that growers can use to determine NPK availabilities in coir to inform their fertigation decision making, and this will be tested under commercial conditions in 2020\. Here, we propose to combine new variety-specific N demand models with a prototype AI-based sensor that estimates NPK coir availabilities in real time, and embed the outputs into the NetBeat(tm) platform. The SmartNutrigation system will maintain coir NPK availabilities within a narrow optimum range during each developmental stage using outputs from nutrient demand models and real-time feedback from AI-based NPK sensors thereby maximising sustainability.