Crop & Environment Research Centre

Facilities

Researchers have access to first class research facilities including biotechnology laboratories, engineering workshops and a national network of trial sites. The combination of expertise, position and facilities enables CERC to carry out major contracts for government, farmer-funded bodies, private clients as well as College Staff and students.

Facilities within the research centre include a biotechnology laboratory, modern field laboratories, chemical store, chemical preparation room and seed store. Controlled environment growth cabinets and drying ovens are situated in the Field Technology Centre. Soil analysis facilities and cold storage are also available. A glasshouse complex comprising six growing compartments, misting facilities and a pot sprayer, is supplemented by polytunnels, enabling important non-field based crop trials to be undertaken.

Research and efficacy trials are undertaken in:

Cereal Crops
Forage Crops
Non-cereal Combinable Crops
Root Crops
Potatoes
Pathology
Physiology
Crop Quality
Waste Management
Nutrition
Nematology
Crop Protection
PCR Identification

Field trials currently exceed 40 hectares with over 5,000 trial plots. Whilst the majority of trials are in the Shropshire area, where we have facilities for in-field misting, we also run trials at countrywide sites.

Combination Trials

Wide range of trial locations
Wide range of soil types
Misting facilities to enhance disease pressure
Rape trials usually established in commercial crops

Standard trial plot is 12 m x 1.8 m, other sizes available

Contract and Efficacy Trials

A full trial service is offered and is backed up by a team of specialist researchers and state of the art specialist facilities for DNA Diagnostics, PCN assessment and identification, plus a plant health clinic for potatoes.

Fungicides, herbicides and pesticide trials on a wide range of crops
Rainfastness / wash-off trials
Artificial irrigation and misting facility for pathology work
PCR and ELISA diagnostics to identify/confirm pathogens
Potato pesticide placement trials using production machinery
PCN assessment and identification

Forage Trials

Forage trials countrywide, currently on sites from Sussex to Cheshire, utilising a range of growing conditions

Maize

Planted with a modified 4 row pneumatic seed drill with a fertiliser placement option
Range of plot sizes and plant population studies available
Full season assessments
Harvested with a front mounted Kemper, the produce being blown to a purpose built weighing platform above a trailer
Dry matter and quality samples taken, together with material for small scale silage units if required

Whole crop

CERC is able to undertake forage trials where the agronomy and nutritional aspects of both whole crop and mixed forage crops can be studied.

Potato Trials

Plant Pathology Potato blight trials (misting and inoculation optional)

Fungicide efficacy trials
Skin disease and storage trials

Agronomy Variety trials

Planting and cultivation techniques
Fertiliser and additive trials
Herbicide efficacy trials

Nematology - Nematicide placement and efficacy work

PCN counts
Speciation by PCR and viability assessment

Field trials can be established to any plot specification. The most common plot being 8m by 3 beds.

Support Services

Certified chemical store.
Seed handling unit; precision seed handling with our computer controlled batch weigher.
Commercial forecasting services with PCR and ELISA diagnostics.
Trial logistics - experimental design through seed preparation to planting, assessments, harvest, data analysis and production of reports.

Field Trials Team

Contact name	Position	Telephone
Charles Murray	Trials Manager	01952 815362
Kate Alston	Compliance Officer - Quality Assurance	01952 815384
Hannah Goodwin	Sandwich Student	01952 815384
Jan Haycox	Trials Assistant - Glasshouse / PCN	01952 815255/815383
Luke Hardy	Trials Officer - Cereal Crops	01952 815384
Matt Rodenhurst	Trials Officer - Potatoes & Root Crops	01952 815255