Development of sustainable solutions for crop protection and food security

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Biological control agents are beneficial microbes that are applied to crops to fight plant disease. Microbes live on the plant and produce molecules that prevent pathogen/pest invasion. These "biocontrol" products are becoming more widely used, as they represent an environmentally friendly option to synthetic agrichemicals. In addition, recent bans on the most hazardous agrochemicals have left growers with fewer solutions for crop disease management. Despite their benefits, barriers remain to the widespread adoption of biocontrol products in agriculture, including inconsistent protection and long development times. We aim to overcome these barriers by using our novel technology that allows us to quickly identify biocontrol bacteria that can survive and effectively protect crops under commercial growing conditions. Our innovation also allows us to identify the underlying mechanism of action, leading to the generation of high-quality products for the agricultural sector.Berries are one of the most valuable crops in the UK and globally, and production is heavily dependent on the use of synthetic fungicides. They are usually sprayed once a week to prevent fungal and oomycete diseases such as Botrytis and crown rot. These diseases are responsible for over 50% of strawberry production loss if plants are not promptly treated. Long term, persistent spraying increases pesticide-resistant pathogens throughout the food chain, causing increased production losses and a reduction of the fruit shelf life. Currently, no biological solutions are available to prevent crown rot in berries, while those biocontrol products that are available to control Botrytis have limited efficacy.The proposed project seeks to utilise our innovative technology to overcome the limitations of current biological treatments and deliver the first fully effective bacterial-based solution to prevent Botrytis and crown rot in berries. Our technology will allow us to: \[1\] quickly identify the most effective biocontrol agents, \[2\] rapidly identify modes of action, \[3\] provide products that have optimal activity in the targeted crop species. Ultimately, the biocontrol product will support berry growers, contributing to more sustainable farming practices, reducing costs, enhancing product shelf-life, and decreasing the associated ecological footprint.With InnovateUK support, this 6-month research programme will deliver a prototype product validated in both lab and horticultural settings. Our novel approach to biocontrol discovery has the potential to revolutionise the future of horticultural practice and food security with global exploitation potential. The project will deliver significant expert-led growth for PfBIO, a substantial ROI, increased employment, and further opportunities for R&D investment.