David’s family has farmed on the Norfolk-Suffolk border for generations. He has worked in agriculture for 35 years and has always been interested in innovation.

He began exploring products that could be used in his anaerobic digester (AD) plant, which turns waste into energy and fertiliser.

During a conversation with a colleague in South Africa, David learnt about research that suggested products used in AD plants could improve plant health and crop quality. He said: “This topic sparked my interest, and I spent years trying to understand research papers and doing my own trials.

“I use nitrogen, which is expensive and pollutes the environment. If I could apply less but still achieve the same yields and/or better quality, then that’s a win-win for the environment and my farm.”

David’s informal trials involved applying a product that can be used in AD plants to his soil. Anecdotally he saw stronger root systems, healthier plants and higher yield.

Discussing his trials with a farming colleague led him to contacting Dr Jonathan Clarke, Head of Business Development, and a partnership with Dr Maria Hernandez-Soriano, postdoctoral scientist, both at the institute. Maria’s research into root systems and the soil microbiome aligned well with David’s pursuits.

Maria has worked at the institute for seven years, primarily exploring the Watkins landrace collection. She has been studying its genetic diversity for traits that improve wheat control of soil microbiome functions.

With support from a BBSRC Flexible Talent Mobility Award, David became embedded within the institute, a reversal of the usual model that sends researchers into industry. Together they began translating the field observations into rigorous science, starting with the question: does this product work?

“This was the turning point for me,” explained David. “Without Maria’s tuition and Jon’s guidance, I wouldn’t have been able to progress my ideas. From day one they were supportive and open.”

The initial experiments confirmed that the product has a remarkable impact on soil microbiome diversity and functions that translate into improved plant growth, increased grain protein content, and enhanced overall crop performance.

David explained: “We began to trial this in the bread wheat field, using 130 kilos of nitrogen per hectare. With our product, the average yield increased from 8.1 tonnes to the hectare to 10.8 tonnes, and protein increased from 12.8 to 13.6.”

Next, Maria and David needed to understand exactly how this product was working in the soil, supported by the Innovate Farming Innovation Programme (Project number: 10080831).

The answer was revealed through advanced molecular analysis. Using DNA-based metagenomics techniques, they identified a community of bacteriophages within the product, naturally occurring viruses that infect and kill bacteria. It also further revealed the composition and action of the product
in the soil.

Also, the application of the soil conditioner in field plots at two different doses altered the soil’s microbial diversity, shifting the community composition and changing the balance of microbial groups, compared to the untreated plots.

Some of the bacteriophage can potentially target soil nitrifiers, microbes that convert nitrogen into forms that can easily be leached or lost to the atmosphere as nitrous oxide, a greenhouse gas. By reducing the activity of these bacteria, the bacteriophages could slow the loss of nitrogen from the soil.

Maria, who will be setting up her own independent research group at L’Institut Agro Dijon in 2027, said: “David is an honorary scientist now! He has learnt how to conduct experiments and has presented at top science conferences like Eurosoil. We continue to collaborate, and I am proud of him and what he has achieved with us in the lab and field. His tenacity is infectious.”

David said: “My leaps of faith have been backed up by lab and field experiments and validation from the John Innes Centre. This process took three years which, in industry terms, is very quick.

“Mentoring was critical; you’re on a journey, from not knowing what you’ve got, to understanding it, and how to use and improve it. Without this, I would still be trying to convince people the product works, without solid scientific evidence.”

With his business partners, including his colleague from South Africa who he first spoke to about AD plants all those years before, David worked to stabilise and concentrate the product, which has now been OF&G Organic and Soil Association approved and is for sale as Biocat+ Phage Soil Treatment.

A renovated factory in Telford is now manufacturing the bio-based product using UK-sourced ingredients, supporting five jobs that have helped upskill local people. The product has so far proved useful for wheat, maize, oats, tomatoes, melons, a pea barley companion crop, and beans.

Jon said: “This is one of my favourite success stories to come from the institute. It’s a perfect example of how, as a hub and National Capability, we are here to support innovation beyond our site, turning science into impact – economic, environmental, and societal.”

Having tested the product in the United States, David is now looking to export his product globally, and is exploring how this technology can be used to support livestock, poultry, and human health. He has recently received Innovate UK funding to validate preliminary evidence that his product reduces greenhouse gas emissions from agricultural soils.

David concluded: “If you have an idea or want to explore something, you should give it a go. Science and farming working together is critical, and research can take you on a journey of understanding and sharing knowledge. I’ve made professional partnerships, as well as lasting friendships.”

John Innes Enterprises is the commercial trading arm of John Innes Centre. For all enquiries, contact: kec@jic.ac.uk