24 Months September 2023 to August 2025.
Project Partners:
UK ATC, AgriSound, PheroSyn, Biobest, National Institute of Agricultural Botany (NIAB)
Funder:
Innovate UK
Objective:
To improve the nutritional quality, yield, and shelf-life of UK-grown strawberries by optimising insect pollination using advanced monitoring and behavioural interventions.
Context:
The UK relies heavily on imports for key micronutrients such as vitamin C, with around 74% sourced from overseas, leaving the nation vulnerable to supply chain shocks. At the same time, fewer than 30% of UK adults consume the recommended daily intake of fruit and vegetables. Strawberries, one of the country’s most commercially valuable fruit crops, are naturally rich in vitamin C and widely consumed due to their taste and convenience. However, their yield, shape, and nutritional quality are all highly dependent on effective insect pollination.
Technology & Innovation:
🐝 AgriSound will adapt its acoustic monitoring devices into low-cost Bluetooth sensors for high-density deployment in strawberry tunnels.
🐝 PheroSyn will develop bumblebee pheromone lures (attractant/repellent) to direct pollinator activity where under/overpollination is detected.
🐝 NIAB trials will calibrate the relationship between pollinator activity, pollination quality, berry yield, nutrition (vitamin C, phenolics, antioxidants), and shelf-life.
Significance:
This project addresses gaps in pollination management, providing growers with new tools to actively influence bee behaviour and optimise crop outcomes — a capability not currently available.
Impact Goals:
🐝 Increase marketable yield of strawberries by reducing misshapen fruit.
🐝 Enhance nutritional value (vitamin C and antioxidants) of UK-grown strawberries.
🐝 Extend shelf-life, reducing food waste in shops and households.
🐝 Provide guidance and know-how for growers and retailers on pollination-driven quality improvements.
🐝 Deliver transferable technologies applicable to other pollination-dependent crops.