Investigate the commercial viability of growing Alliums in a protected cropping environment.

必须更新葱等大田作物的标准种植做法，以克服气候变化和土传疾病日益流行带来的挑战。（这个项目的主要重点）是英国家庭的主食-全年都有持续的需求，作为全国各地家庭准备菜肴的基础配料。洋葱容易受到镰刀菌，白色腐烂，颈腐，和霜霉病，用于种植洋葱的土地每六/七年只能支持它们的生长，因为收获后留在地面上的任何植物物质的痕迹都可能导致再次感染。为了满足需求，获得合适的“清洁”土地来种植洋葱变得越来越困难。除了土地压力，农民们也被敦促通过在当地种植更多的农产品来改善英国的粮食安全，减少食物里程。解决土地短缺问题的一种方法，减少二氧化碳的大量投入，以及更好地控制洋葱种植中的疾病，就是将这种传统的“大田作物”转变为CE。通过这个项目，Stourgarden将成为英国第一个在商业规模上测试洋葱保护种植可行性的种植者。我们预计洋葱CE系统的开发将带来以下好处：- 通过捕获和回收减少用水-避免感染镰刀菌等土传疾病-显著减少养分投入，消除养分流失影响水道和生态系统的任何风险-消除种植和收获过程对重型农业机械的需求-随着Stourgarden发展其CE能力，自动化程度提高，减少对低技能劳动力的依赖，创造新的熟练技术和工程角色-显著减少土地压力-腾出土地种植其他作物，使土地更经常地得到休息，改善土壤质量和重新野生边缘-消除对进口洋葱的依赖，以弥补英国生长季节的差距（大大减少与运输有关的排放，改善英国的贸易地位）-消除生长季节与气候变化有关的不利天气的影响，这通常会影响作物产量高达30%-更可靠的作物将为零售商和家庭提供供应链安全-减少对释放大量储存碳的土壤的种植需求-提高公司盈利能力和传统利润率低的部门的增长，从而为地区经济和英国公司带来收益

Standard growing practices for field crops such as alliums must be updated to overcome challenges presented by climate change and the increasing prevalence of soil-borne diseases.Onions (the main focus of this project) are a staple for UK households - in constant demand throughout the year as a foundation ingredient in dishes prepared by families across the nation.Onions are susceptible to diseases such as Fusarium, white rot, neck rot, and downy mildew, and land used for growing onions can only support their growth for one in every six/seven years, as any traces of plant matter left in the ground post-harvest can lead to re-infection. It is becoming increasingly difficult to secure suitable 'clean' land for farming onions to meet demand. Alongside land pressures, farmers are being urged to contribute to improving UK food security and reducing food miles by growing more produce locally.One approach to addressing land scarcity, reducing CO2-heavy inputs, and better controlling disease in the growing of onions is to move this traditional 'field crop' into a CE.**Aeroallium**Through this project, Stourgarden will be the first UK growers to test the viability of protected growing for onions on a commercial scale. We anticipate the following benefits flowing from the development of a CE system for onions:-Reduction in water use through capture and recycling-Avoid infection of soil borne diseases such as Fusarium-Significant reduction of nutrient inputs, and elimination of any risk of nutrient run-off impacting waterways and ecosystems-Removal of the need for heavy farm machinery for growing and harvesting processes-Increased automation leading to decreased reliance on low-skilled labour, with new, skilled technical and engineering roles created as Stourgarden develops its CE capability-Significant reduction in land pressure - freeing up land for growing other crops, enabling land to be rested more often, improving soil quality and rewilding margins-Remove reliance on importing onions to cover gaps in the UK growing season (vastly reducing transport-related emissions and improving the UK's trading position)-Remove impact from climate change-related adverse weather during the growing season, which can typically affect crop yield by up to 30%-More reliable crop will deliver supply chain security for retailers and households-Reducing need for cultivation of soil which releases significant amounts of stored carbon-Increased company profitability and growth in sector with traditionally low margins, and thus gains for the regional economy and UK Plc