The consortium Crop Intellect , Barworth Research , University of Lincoln, CHAP, Dyson Farming and The Allerton Project (all UK based organisations) are focused on designing and testing a prototype combination of R-Leaf and nitrogen fixing bacteria (endophytes) to reduce synthetic nitrogen usage in crop production. Crop Intellect is the lead organisation, proprietor of R-Leaf technology and IP owner. R-Leaf is a disruptive innovation that is sprayed onto crop canopies, where it captures atmospheric nitrogen pollution (NOx) and converts it into nitrate using sunlight. This removes NOx pollution from the atmosphere as well as reducing the use of synthetic N-fertiliser in agriculture. It further, breaks down N2O into benign components resulting in reducing the incidence of climate change. Endophytes form symbiotic relationships with plants, where they fix atmospheric nitrogen and convert it into ammonia, which is then supplied to the plant in exchange for nutrients. Plot trials on wheat have confirmed that combined applications of R-Leaf and endophytes can improve yield by 5% compared to applying the technologies individually. R-Leaf can replace 50 kg/ha of nitrogen fertiliser, whilst endophytes have been estimated to replace up to 70 kg/ha. The project aims to produce an R-Leaf/endophyte prototype that can combine the nitrogen-fixing benefits of both, capable of replacing an estimated 50% of synthetic nitrogen fertiliser applied to wheat under standard farming practice. Experiments undertaken at the University of Lincoln will validate combinations of R-Leaf and endophytes for yield benefits and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, as well as ensuring practicality of the prototype. The final prototype will then be utilised at Dyson Farming and The Allerton Project to perform field trials on wheat with reduced nitrogen fertiliser. These will determine the amount of synthetic nitrogen fertiliser that can be replaced through application of a combination of R-Leaf and endophytes to wheat crop, and the dual environmental benefits stemming from the reduced synthetic nitrogen fertilizer use and the breakdown of the greenhouse gas N2O. The proposed combination however brings challenges since bacteria cannot be readily mixed in the spraying tank. The consortium brings the skills to overcome this challenge and enable ease of use aiming to facilitate wide adoption by growers. Benefits to growers include reduced input costs and improved soil health from reduced synthetic nitrogen fertiliser use. It will contribute directly towards net zero emissions in agriculture impacting positively the entire agri-food supply chain from farm to retailers and end consumers.

In the UK, approximately 5.5 million tonnes of potatoes are grown every year with around 64% of growers in England (AHDB, 2021). Typically, 40% of fresh potatoes do not meet customer specification, with around 20% being attributed to damage from the field including pest. Wireworm is becoming a major pest issue in potato farming as chemicals previously used to eradicate are being withdrawn from the market. Infestations usually go undetected, unless uncovered through small scale crop sampling, frequently too late to protect/recover affected crop. Our project will focus on identifying technology solutions to detect, quantify and forecast wireworm activity.