A MAJOR research project at Essex University which looks to protect crops from climate change has received a funding boost worth £1 million.

The grant is being provided by the Wolfson Foundation, a charity which awards money to support ground-breaking studies in various fields, including science and medicine.

The money will go towards creating an indoor crop growth facility, known as a Smart Technology Experimental Plant Suite, which is due to open by late summer 2023.

There, plants can be grown in adjustable environments where natural outdoor climates can be replicated down to levels of humidity, water availability, and CO2 concentrations.

The aim of the research into crop science, likely to be enhanced by the indoor crop growth facility, will allow researchers to find ways of increasing agricultural sustainability as the human population continues to grow.

Essex University already has a major plant research facility in the form of the Essex Plant Innovation Centre, where vertical farming environments have been trialled as a means of testing whether crops can be grown with less water and without exposure to pesticides.

Plant physiologist Tracy Lawson, who is a professor at Essex’s school of life sciences, explained the financial grant and the indoor crop growth facility will help raise the profile of plant science research.

She said: “We are delighted to have been awarded this funding from the Wolfson Foundation – this unique facility will build on our world-leading strengths in plant productivity research and allow us to exploit the latest technologies to improve key plant processes.

“It will elevate our cross-disciplinary research and work with business stakeholders to address some of the key challenges in the agriculture and horticulture sector,” she added.

“The Smart Technology Experimental Plant Suite will also provide a unique platform for community engagement and outreach to increase the visibility of plant science research and highlight the global challenges in this area.”

The chief executive or the Wolfson Foundation, Paul Ramsbottom, said: “The University of Essex has an impressive track record in crop science and we are delighted to be supporting these experimental facilities.

“We hope they will assist in making important new breakthroughs in sustainable food production.”