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

必须更新大田作物（如葱属植物）的标准种植方法，以克服气候变化和土壤传播疾病日益流行所带来的挑战。洋葱（这个项目的主要焦点）是英国家庭的主食，作为全国各地家庭准备菜肴的基础原料，全年需求量不断增加。洋葱容易感染镰刀菌病、白腐病、颈腐病和霜霉病等疾病，而且用于种植洋葱的土地每6 / 7年只能支持它们生长一次，因为收获后留在地里的任何植物物质都可能导致再次感染。要找到合适的“清洁”土地来种植洋葱以满足需求正变得越来越困难。除了土地压力，政府还敦促农民通过在当地种植更多农产品，为改善英国的粮食安全做出贡献，并减少粮食里程。解决土地短缺、减少二氧化碳重投入和更好地控制洋葱生长中的疾病的一种方法是将这种传统的“大田作物”转移到农业生产中。通过这个项目，Stourgarden将成为第一个在商业规模上测试洋葱保护种植可行性的英国种植者。我们预计开发洋葱CE系统将带来以下好处：-通过捕获和回收减少用水量-避免镰刀菌等土壤传播疾病的感染-显著减少养分投入，消除养分流失影响水路和生态系统的任何风险-消除种植和收获过程中对重型农业机械的需求-增加自动化导致减少对低技能劳动力的依赖，新的，随着Stourgarden发展其CE能力，创造了熟练的技术和工程角色——显著减少土地压力——腾出土地用于种植其他作物，使土地得到更频繁的休息，改善土壤质量和恢复野生环境——消除对进口洋葱的依赖，以弥补英国生长季节的空白（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恶劣天气的影响；更可靠的作物将为零售商和家庭提供供应链安全，减少对土壤的耕种需求，从而释放大量储存的碳，提高公司的盈利能力和传统低利润部门的增长，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