Bangor University are collaborating on a project led by Western Europe’s largest producer of chlorophyll, Blankney Estates Ltd, to investigate whether the large amount of grass wax it produces as part of its chlorophyll production process could be used as a more sustainable alternative to current fungicide controls for late potato blight.
The 12-month project is funded by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs’ (DEFRA) through the Farming Innovation Programme, delivered in partnership with Innovate UK.
Late potato blight results in up to £50million of annual losses for UK farmers and is caused by a fungus-like organism (Phytophthora infestans) that results in leaf and stem damage and eventual rotting of the potato.
Project Lead Blankney Estates, based in Lincolnshire in the North of England, farms 14,000 acres of land, and grows a wide range of arable crops for human consumption, animal feed and energy production. 1,500 acres of this land is dedicated to growing a type of grass called tall fescue for chlorophyll extraction, which is used in a range of food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic applications, mainly as a natural green colourant. During the process of chlorophyll pigment extraction, large residual volumes of natural grass wax are produced and subsequently discarded as waste.
As experts in research and innovation around biobased technologies, this is where Bangor University’s Biocomposites Centre stepped in:
“We’ve worked with the Blankney Estates since 2007 on various projects related to how we can add value to the grass they grow. We are now very pleased to be extending this relationship thanks to funding from DEFRA through Innovate UK’s Farming Innovation Programme, to assess the functionality of the grass wax as a novel biocontrol system using a combination of greenhouse and field trials.”
explains Dr Adam Charlton of Bangor University’s Biocomposites Centre.
The main treatment and control option for late potato blight involves regular application of antifungal chemicals, but the Phytophthora infestans organism is now resistant to most synthetic fungicides, and there are currently very few options to replace these, many of which are being phased out from use because of environmental considerations.
The other challenge is that when used in excess, synthetic fungicides are a hazard to plant, animal and human health and can have a negative impact on ecosystems through their accumulation in soils and watercourses.
It has been reported that up to 20% of greenhouse gas emissions linked to potato production results from energy outputs associated with the production and use of fertilisers and synthetic fungicides.
Dr Charlton adds, “Biocontrol agents are an alternative and potentially, a more sustainable alternative, to the synthetic fungicides used to combat plant pathogens. This project could also contribute towards the commitment to reach net zero emissions by 2050 by reducing input costs for new biobased potato blight treatments using the circular economy approach by making use of this otherwise wasted product.”
We are delighted to be partnering with Bangor University’s Biocomposites Centre on an exciting project exploring a potentially valuable application for our ‘waste’ grass wax stream, which is produced as a by-product of our chlorophyll extraction process. As the largest commercial producer of chlorophyll in Western Europe, we are committed to farming in the most environmentally responsible way, unlocking the full potential of our grass crops and processes.
