Vision
Our Expertise Unleashed
Plant Research Ltd strives to transform the future of agriculture by unlocking the full potential of plants to heal our planet and nourish our communities. We imagine a world where sustainable, regenerative farming is the global standard, where indoor cultivation systems are refined to an art and science, and where alternative and medicinal crops empower new forms of wellbeing. Through bold innovation, collaborative discovery, and an unwavering commitment to ecological harmony, we seek to inspire a new era of cultivation that elevates both people and the planet.
Growing Expertise
With over 20 years of plant research experience, Plant Research Ltd is dedicated to developing sustainable, environmentally responsible alternatives to traditional farming practices.
Through its sister company, The Cheshire Saffron Company, Plant Research Ltd is advancing work in vertical, indoor urban farming, with expertise in running research trials in protected growing (vertical farming, polytunnels and glasshouse systems) and field operations.
Their commitment to innovation and ecological stewardship continues to shape cutting-edge approaches to how we grow food for a changing world.
Our
Story:
Get to Know Us:
Set up in 2015 alongside The Cheshire Saffron Company we have been focusing on growing saffron whilst minimising impact on the land. We don't use any chemicals in this growing process and also minimise soil disruption. No pesticides or herbicides and minimal fertilisers (seaweed based). The Cheshire Saffron Company (www.greatbritishsaffron.co.uk), a multi award winning company, has been building recently. Run by brothers Pete and Doug, we have now built a fully off grid indoor farm for our research and saffron indoor growing. This indoor farm contains a mix of different hydroponic growing facilities from NFT, deep water buckets and flood and drain. With being fully off grid we have a hybrid energy system, harnessing the sun rays with our solar and battery system which can fully sustain our indoor growing during summer, spring and autumn period. During winter any drop in solar is covered with a generator system.
Past Focus
Laboratory
Previous research experience in plant biological clocks furthering the understanding of how this internal mechanism can both buffer and respond to changes in growth temperature.
Gould et al., 2006
Gould et al., 2009
Gould et al., 2013
Gould et al., 2018
Glasshouses
Several years managing and operating polytunnels and a smart Priva automated CambridgeHOK glasshouse. Biosecure, hydroponic drip feed and flood and drain tables with climate control. Trials on strawberries, tomatoes, cucumbers, chilis, aubergines, courgettes, peppers, maize, ginger, galangal, turmeric, wheat, tomatillo and hops. With work and studies on companion planting as a way to minimise pests.
Vertical farming
Many years of active research using indoor vertical farming systems. This has spanned 3 different companies with very different setups. These have used aeroponics, flood and drain, NFT based systems and automated buckets for larger plants. I have run several client based research trials using these looking at alternative crops or ways of making indoor farming more sustainable, less energy hungry and more profitable. In these settings we have grown lettuce, herbs, saffron, chilis, brassicas and alternative crops.
Field farming
Experience in more traditional farming since starting our sister company The Cheshire Saffron Company has been growing and selling saffron since 2015. This work has now moved partly into research with a DEFRA funded Innovate UK grant to identify more environmentally friendly ways of treating plant fungal rot.
Past Projects
Past work has focused on saffron and its requirements for optimised production in the UK
