What is Yield Improvement?
The Challenge
Most crops around the world only ever achieve a fraction of their potential, closing the yield gap between potential yield and average yield is a key challenge for food security. So why do crops not reach their potential? Stress, climate, and pests and diseases all play a role, as do ineffective use of inputs (much of the fertiliser applied to crops is wasted as pollution). Not only must we increase yields to feed a growing population, we must find ways to do so on poorer quality land, with less water, and in a changing climate. We must find ways to grow that are more sustainable and use lower inputs. These are the challenges facing farmers today.
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The Solution
At Levity we believe that only new ways of thinking can solve these problems, that agricultural inputs need a fresh look. Our scientists study plant physiology and use the knowledge gained to find new ways to increase yields. We take time to listen to farmers and understand what they need. By understanding the problems faced by growers, and applying crop science we produce products that can help farmers deliver more and better crops with lower inputs.
Average Potato Yield Potential Lost
- Netherlands 54%
- USA 55%
- Egypt 67%
What We Do
Levity use a unique combination of crop science and agronomy to find better ways to grow crops. Our scientists are researching how plant physiology can improve agricultural inputs to develop products that help farmers produce better yields.
Our Facilities
Levity have world class research facilities split between two sites at Myerscough Agricultural College and Lancaster University. Our team of scientists enjoy unrivalled access to formulation and development labs, testing labs, controlled environment growth rooms, experimental glasshouses, field test sites and a huge array of analytical equipment.
Lab to Land
What sets Levity apart is how we approach product development. We bridge academia and industry, taking the very latest in academic research and finding ways to put it to practical use to solve problems for farmers. Our products start on a farm where our expert agronomists take time to understand the challenges faced by growers, we then go back to the lab and apply crop science in research programmes. The products that emerge are tested around the world in rigorous independent trial programmes before we are finally ready to go back to the farm with a new product.
Abiotic Stress
Stress from the weather and environment (abiotic stress), is responsible for more crop losses than pests and diseases. By helping plants cope better with stress yields can be raised. Levity’s research into stress tolerance is helping us to develop products that farmers can use to protect crops against drought, salinity, cold, and other stresses. This work will help farmers to produce more where water is scarce or of low quality, and where growing conditions currently reduce yields.
Growth Partitioning
Quality & Marketable Yield
Nutrient Use Efficiency
The Potato Results… LimiN™ Technology*
Extra Potatoes
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