Sensors have been developed by industry to give tomato growers valuable insights into how their plants are responding to the growing environment. This information can then be used to adapt glasshouse conditions in order to reduce stress on the plant and help tackle crop losses. But how can growers get the most out of them for their business? This field lab is trialled how these water balance sensors can be used in a commercial environment with farmers designing the research.
The organic piccolo tomatoes grown as part of this field lab are supplied into Waitrose and Partners under the Duchy Organic brand. Innovative Farmers is part of the Duchy Future Farming Programme, funded by the Prince of Wales’s Charitable Fund through the sales of Waitrose Duchy Organic products.