A new ADOPT-funded project has begun to demonstrate the use of wireless sensor technology for precision irrigation and nutrient management in peat-free ornamental crop production, as the Horticultural Trades Association steps up its work to drive research and development and unlock funding for the industry's benefit.

Nursery events will be held later this month to showcase how the technology is being applied in commercial trials.

ADOPT (Accelerating Development of Practices and Technologies) is a multi-year funding programme delivered through the Defra Farming Innovation Programme in partnership with Innovate UK. It supports collaborative, grower-led, on-site trials designed to test and demonstrate innovative solutions to commercial production challenges.

The one-year project, which started in April, brings together a consortium including the Horticultural Trades Association, Hillier Nurseries, The Farplants Group – Fleurie Nursery, the Royal Horticultural Society and Van Walt.

The project will evaluate how wireless sensors can be used to monitor substrate moisture and nutrient status, enabling more precise irrigation and feeding strategies in peat-free growing systems.

Launch events will take place on-site at participating nurseries on 30 April at Hillier Nurseries and on 1 May at Fleurie Nursery. The free, two-hour sessions will outline the project’s objectives, the science underpinning the technology, and how it is being applied in commercial production to assist growers to optimise plant culture, and the business in its transition towards peat-free production.

Wayne Brough, Technical Horticulture Manager at the Horticultural Trades Association, said:

“This project is focused on generating practical, nursery-scale evidence concerning how wireless sensor technology can support peat-free production. By monitoring growing media conditions in real time, growers can make better informed irrigation and nutrition decisions, improving product consistency, while reducing plant wastage and optimising resource use. The aim is to build confidence in adopting these tools across the sector.”

Steve Carter, General Manager at Fleurie Nursery, said:

“We were very pleased to receive this significant support from ADOPT, recognising that growers need additional support and tools for the transition to peat-free growing. We are excited to witness how sensors can improve our knowledge of crop water use requirements and determine whether this technology can be used in the future to automate irrigation systems. We look forward to working with all the partners and sharing our learnings with the wider industry.”

Further details and booking information are available here: https://hta.org.uk/current-events/adopt-wireless-sensors-project.