Arboricrop: Next generation agriculture using real-time information from tree crops

Conventional fruit production relies upon growers employing costly interventions of water, nutrients and crop protection products to optimise plant health, yields and fruit quality.

This project will design, test and produce a Next Generation Electrophysiological Sensor (NGES) that can detect plant stress before visual symptoms appear, allowing growers and agronomists to apply interventions earlier, thereby minimising yield losses and maximising efficiency. Such technology has demonstrated promise in protected crops, but this project will focus on woody crops such as apple and vines.

Funder: Innovate UK

Industry partners: Benchmark Control Ltd (Lead), Adrian Scripps Ltd and H.L.Hutchinson Ltd

Term: February 2024 to July 2026