What was the need?

The Challenge

Following their first KTP, this partnership aimed to develop the capacity to control plant-microbe interactions within IGS novel growth system to optimise crop production by reducing waste through spoilage whilst generating a risk framework for ensuring future food safety compliance 

Trials around the use of light, temperature and humidity to produce consistent high quality products, highlighted a key gap in knowledge surrounding pathogens and microbes and the effect they have on these growing systems, their impact on food safety and how they can be best managed. There is a specific expertise in microbe management needed especially relevant to food safety and to crop protection and food spoilage. 

IGS recognises that microbe management should be an integral part of Total Controlled Environment Agriculture (TCEA) in its systems. Whilst TCEA can eliminate variations within this environment, it does not address the impact of microbe management on the produce being grown and the effect it could have on food quality in terms of safety or spoilage. This was a challenge for both the Company and Industry Sector. 

The key challenge was the need to demonstrate to customers that IGS system can be used to grow crops safely that are fit for human consumption.