The potential reduction of fertiliser use on UK wheat crops by half, without compromising yield or quality, represents a significant breakthrough for agritech and offers compelling opportunities for investors. The £1 million project funded under the Farming Innovation Programme by Defra, and delivered through Innovate UK, aims to develop a foliar photocatalyst-and-endophyte prototype. This innovation could revolutionize crop nutrition and nitrogen management, presenting a paradigm shift in how we approach agricultural sustainability.
At the heart of this initiative is the R-Leaf photocatalyst, a specially processed titanium dioxide that uses daylight to convert nitrogen oxides (NOx) into crop-usable nitrates. Dr. Apostolos Papadopoulos, founder of Crop Intellect, highlights how this technology can provide continuous doses of nitrate, amounting to an average of 50kg N/ha during the growing season. Independent trials have shown a 6% yield increase in cereals and a reduction in synthetic nitrogen fertiliser use by up to 25%. Additionally, R-Leaf breaks down nitrous oxide (N₂O), a potent greenhouse gas, into benign nitrogen and oxygen, potentially reducing a farm’s net greenhouse gas emissions by 5.4 tonnes of CO₂ per hectare per year.
The integration of nitrogen-fixing endophytes with R-Leaf technology has shown even more promising results. These endophytes, symbiotic bacteria, capture atmospheric nitrogen and convert it into ammonia, providing an additional nitrogen source for plants. The combination of R-Leaf and endophytes in wheat crops has demonstrated a synergistic effect, leading to a 5% yield increase over individual applications. This dual-technology approach could reduce nitrogen usage in wheat by 50%, translating to a potential £100/ha profit for UK growers.
For agritech, this project underscores the importance of multidisciplinary collaboration and innovation. Crop Intellect, with its expertise in photocatalysis and crop nutrition, leads the consortium, working alongside Barworth Research to optimize the prototype formulation and the University of Lincoln to conduct efficacy testing. Dyson Farming and the Allerton Project will carry out full field trials and engage with the farming community for knowledge dissemination. The UK Agri-Tech Centre will model the product’s impacts and work with stakeholders to address adoption barriers and explore future opportunities.
For investors, this project presents a unique opportunity to support a technology that addresses multiple critical issues in agriculture: reducing reliance on synthetic fertilisers, enhancing crop yields, and mitigating environmental impacts. The potential to monetize climate-change mitigation efforts further adds to the investment appeal. As the project progresses over the next two years, completing in early 2026, it will offer valuable insights into the scalability and commercial viability of these innovative technologies.
This initiative exemplifies how agritech can drive sustainable agricultural practices, balancing productivity with environmental stewardship. By validating the agronomic, environmental, economic, and technical benefits of these technologies, the project could set a new standard for fertiliser use, soil health, and overall farm sustainability. Investors looking to make a meaningful impact in the agriculture sector should closely monitor the developments of this groundbreaking project.
