UK broccoli and potato trials test low carbon methods

Broccoli grown at Tesco's low-carbon concept farm in Lincolnshire has reached retail shelves this week. Up to 50 tonnes of broccoli and purple sprouting broccoli have been produced using methods designed to lower carbon emissions, with harvesting currently underway.

The farm was developed in partnership with vegetable supplier TH Clements and is one of two pilot sites set up by the retailer to trial new approaches to reduce emissions, improve efficiency, and test carbon removal techniques. Crops at the Lincolnshire site are being produced using peat-free soil in glasshouses before being transferred to fields, as well as cover cropping to improve soil drainage and nutrient retention.

According to the retailer, the broccoli crop has performed comparably to conventional production, with data now being gathered to evaluate results.

Potato trials are also being conducted at the same farm by Branston, Tesco's potato supplier. Around 20 acres have been planted, expected to yield approximately 520 tonnes, equal to 260,000 two-kilo packs. These potatoes will enter cold storage ahead of retail supply later in the year.

The potato programme is testing several techniques intended to reduce environmental impact. These include the use of low-carbon fertilisers that break down nitrous oxide, reduced cultivation practices to limit soil disturbance and fuel use, drones for early disease identification, and trickle irrigation to conserve water.

The project follows recommendations from Tesco's Greenprint for UK Farming report, published earlier this year, which highlighted the role of on-farm trials in scaling new technologies across supply chains.

Data collected from the concept farm will be used to assess the performance of low-carbon techniques and their potential application to wider commercial production.