Major new research project aiming to use fungi to cut pollution

Posted 5 February 2025

A new £1million Defra-funded project will see Harper Adams University academics working on research using fungi to revolutionise agricultural pollution control. 

The University will partner with Rhizocore Technologies Ltd, a leading Edinburgh-based nature-tech company, the James Hutton Institute, and Cheshire Wildlife Trust on the project, which will develop innovative water filters utilising locally-sourced fungi to capture and neutralise pollutants from farming activities before they reach freshwater environments. 

The project is funded by the Department for Environment Food & Rural Affairs’ (Defra) Farming Innovation Programme Nutrient Management Competition and delivered in partnership with Innovate UK. 

Water pollution in the UK has become an increasingly important issue over the past few years, particularly regarding the number of sewage release events during times of high rainfall.  

However, agricultural runoff is the largest single contributor to river pollution levels, responsible for 40 per cent of water pollution in England. 

Agricultural pollution is made up of nitrates and phosphates, which are essential for crop growth, as byproducts of livestock manure and fertilisers. 

However, when these nutrients run off into rivers and streams, they can cause significant environmental damage, leading to algal blooms, oxygen depletion, and the degradation of aquatic ecosystems. 

The new project will leverage the natural capabilities of native British saprotrophic fungi, which thrive in nutrient-rich environments and possess the ability to absorb and store these pollutants. 

By developing modular filtration units filled with these fungi, the project aims to intercept pollutants at various points on farms, effectively preventing them from entering watercourses. 

Dr Toby Parkes, CEO and Founder, Rhizocore Technologies UK, said: "This project has the potential to provide a practical, low cost solution for farm runoff that could radically improve the quality of our rivers."  

The captured nutrients will be recycled as slow-release organic fertilisers, promoting sustainable agriculture and contributing to a circular economy. It is hoped this approach will not only mitigate the environmental impact of agriculture but also enhance the overall sustainability of farming practices. 

Researchers are also aiming to generate a comprehensive database of fungal species and strains suitable for pollutant removal, providing valuable insights for future applications. 

Dr Lucy Crockford, Senior Lecturer in Soil and Water Management at Harper Adams University and Principal Investigator for Harper Adams, added: “We’re delighted to be involved with this project because of its agricultural, real-world application to improve water quality in a sustainable manner.”