Crop Intellect, based in Lincoln University, has developed R-Leaf, a technology that uses sunlight to convert air pollution into nitrate on the surface of a crop’s leaves. Photocatalytic, titanium dioxide-based and water-containing, R-Leaf is classed as a fertiliser and can be applied via a farm sprayer, either on its own or as part of a tank mix. It remains on the leaf surface for as long as six weeks, thus providing slow-release nitrate which extends the benefits of nitrogen fertiliser. The system’s cost is £25/litre, with recommended applications of two litres per hectare for cereals – a total cost of £50/ha. Carbon credits may be produced with this technology, allowing monetisation when required. R-Leaf obtained awards from both Tesco and the Lincolnshire Technology and Innovation Award, and is also part of the supermarket’s commercial trial on nitrogen fertiliser use. R-Leaf is a possible disruptive technology as it offers the potential to reduce the industry’s dependence on synthetic nitrogen and hence decrease farm emissions. It is anticipated that once officially licensed R-Leaf will become a global solution to improving sustainability and solve climate challenges that farms and society confront.
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It is important that carbon credit schemes also benefit local communities.
The World Meteorological Organisation has stated that 193 countries have given unanimous backing to a scheme to monitor global greenhouse...
