To nurture healthy plants and crops, increasing food productivity sustainably and protect the environment our work focuses on strategic research into the biology and control of diseases of agricultural, horticultural and tree health importance. A key theme for us is in disease surveillance and risk forecasting which is strongly supported by our expertise and specialist knowledge in epidemiology, pathogen and disease identification, molecular diagnosis, spatial aspects of disease spread, knowledge management and transfer. 

The team is dedicated to the development of technologies that enable stakeholders to make decisions across the agri-food chain and in the environment. Our interest is in the application of generic solutions such as PCR, isothermal amplification and next generation sequencing techniques. In particular we have considerable expertise in developing diagnostics for front line use. We work with growers, agronomists and Defra developing methods to enable better detect of plant pathogens in propagation material, soil, water and air. Early detection of pathogens in crops enables us to initiate control measures much earlier, preventing spread and reducing the impact of disease. We offer the most comprehensive range of testing services and are the UK's largest tester of crop health testing in excess of 8,500 samples a year.

Our expertise covers pest species including insects, mites, slugs and nematodes. Our specialists can help you to detect, identify, monitor and control pests in growing crops and stored produce. Our work also includes research on pests, such as house flies, blow flies, midges and parasitic mites, as well as supporting the development of novel biological and chemical pesticides.

If you are developing new pest control measures, our team has the expertise to support you every step of the way – from early stage pre-commercialisation research, through to preparing registration dossiers and product stewardship. Our interdisciplinary approach and access to specialist facilities enable us to adapt our research to meet the specific requirements of your project.

Our work helps farmers and growers to achieve more sustainable crop production while protecting the environment from disease threats, and focuses on disease surveillance and risk forecasting, supported by our expertise in epidemiology, pathogen and disease identification, molecular diagnosis, spatial aspects of disease spread, knowledge management and transfer.

We can support you with our research expertise in pathogen epidemiology, disease-management strategies, chemical applications, pesticide efficacy testing (ORETO registered) and monitoring for resistance in pathogen populations. Our team is also a leading provider of research on quarantine plant pathogens. Our facilities include specialised quarantine laboratories and glasshouses, which we use to study the epidemiology and control of pathogens that may present a threat to UK farmers and growers.

We maintain culture collections of major plant pathogens including Fusarium species, Septoria tritici, Phytophthora ramorum, P. kernoviae and Hymenoscyphus pseudoalbidus (the cause of ash dieback). We can also collect additional isolates on request, particularly pathogens of wheat and oilseed rape.