Research and development

We specialise in designing robust research protocols for the potatoes sector, tailored to the specific needs of Greenvale and our partners.

We comply with research guidelines set out by the European Plant Protection Organisation (EPPO) and are registered as an efficacy testing facility (ORETO cert no. 468) by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) in the UK.

We pride ourselves on designing high quality and considered experiments, employing a variety of experimental designs to ensure reliable and accurate results.

Identifying suitable trial sites is crucial for the success of any research project. Our agronomists carefully select locations that meet our partners’ specific requirements, such as soil type, prevalence of specific weed species, pest and disease pressure and access to water.

We work closely with host growers to integrate trials into their farming operations, minimising disruption while maintaining high quality trial outputs.

Our meticulous approach to trial establishment and maintenance ensures optimal conditions for data collection, and that trial sites are kept to an open day standard throughout the season.

We apply agrochemicals using a variety of methods, including granular and liquid treatments, both as in-furrow or overall soil applied treatments, or as foliar treatment. Our aim is to replicate real-world farming conditions as closely as possible. We use specialist equipment and techniques to ensure accurate and consistent applications.

Our team of researchers and agronomists, carefully collects data throughout the growing season using EPPO standard methodologies and our own approaches. Information is recorded digitally in the field and regularly reviewed to promptly identify any important findings.

We harvest our potato trials using customised specialist equipment that can be easily transported. This allows us to conduct trials nationwide. This equipment can be used for root crop or bulb harvesting.

After harvesting, we measure the yields and quality of potatoes and other root crops using advanced optical grading technology. This approach enables us to grade samples at speed ensuring high levels of repeatability and accuracy.

We use advanced statistical methods to interrogate and analyse our data to identify key findings.

Our reports are tailored to our clients’ needs and include concise summaries, detailed data analysis and raw data.

Offering a comprehensive range of services, from leading complex projects to providing specialist support, our expertise extends to project management, stakeholder engagement, establishing working groups and delivering impactful outcomes acting as a partner or contractor.

We have a proven track record of securing grant funding from organisations such as Innovate UK, Innovative Farmers, and CUPGRA to further applied research and development in the potatoes sector.

Recent projects include:

• development of agronomy guidelines for trap crops used to manage potato cyst nematodes (PCN)

• the use of cover and biofumigant crops to reduce wireworm populations

• assessment of new varieties for resistance and tolerance to PCN and stubby-root nematodes (SRN)

• the use of trap crop foliage as an alternative silage feedstock for cattle.

We share our research findings with industry stakeholders through open days, events, publications, and collaborations with key organisations such as CUPGRA, GB Potatoes, and the Agri-Tech Innovation Centre (formerly CHAP), utilising our grower and industry networks to expedite the process of knowledge exchange to stakeholders throughout the industry.