Scotland is about to generate a new, high-resolution, whole-country LiDAR dataset that will provide unprecedented structural information on land cover and vegetation, collected on a four-year cycle and supported by complementary aerial photography. This national resource has clear potential to support plant health monitoring and risk assessment, but its practical applications, limitations, and implementation requirements for plant health purposes have not yet been systematically explored.

This project will evaluate how the forthcoming LiDAR dataset could be used to improve plant health outcomes in Scotland. It will identify and assess opportunities for applying LiDAR data to plant health challenges, including early detection of risks, monitoring vegetation change, and supporting surveillance and risk assessment activities. The project will examine the strengths and limitations of LiDAR for plant health investigations and explore how it can be combined with other remote sensing technologies, such as satellite- and drone-based data, to enhance insights. Technical, operational, and organisational barriers to effective use will also be identified, including data handling requirements and skills gaps.

Through expert engagement, targeted case studies, and a stakeholder workshop, the project will provide clear, evidence-based advice to support investment in tools and approaches that maximise plant health benefits from this national data resource.

Scotland is home to a thriving daffodil bulb industry, centred along the east coast and supported by farming cooperatives such as Grampian Growers Ltd. The sector contributes significantly to the rural economy, exporting thousands of tonnes of high-health bulbs each year to markets across the UK, Europe, Scandinavia, and the USA.

However, the industry faces a major challenge from basal rot, a destructive fungal disease caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. narcissi (Fon). With spores that can survive in soil for over a decade, Fon threatens crop yields, bulb quality, and long-term sustainability. Losses are already estimated at £100,000 annually, and growers have few effective tools left as chemical options decline and climate pressures increase.

This project explores alternatives control options that could help reduce Fon issues in the bulb industry. Focusing on naturally derived biopesticides, the project will conduct a comprehensive literature review to identify promising compounds that could help control basal rot while aligning with regulatory and environmental goals.

Key outcomes will include:
-A technical report summarising evidence on potential biopesticides.
-A plain-language guide for growers and industry stakeholders.
-A knowledge-exchange event bringing together scientists, policymakers, and practitioners to shape future research and innovation.

This six-month project is designed to lay the foundations for future lab and field trials, with the ultimate goal of providing growers with effective, sustainable tools to protect daffodil production. By combining research expertise with industry leadership, it aims to secure the long-term resilience of Scotland’s daffodil sector and reinforce its role in sustainable agriculture.

Endophytes are naturally occurring microorganisms that live inside plants. They can improve crop growth, increase resistance to pests and diseases, and help plants cope with environmental stress. Around the world, endophyte-containing crops are already being used to improve plant health and agricultural sustainability.
In Scotland and the wider UK, there is growing interest in these products. However, it is currently unclear, depending on the purpose of the product, which government authority is responsible for regulating plants that intentionally contain endophytes. Without clarity, bringing such products to market may be problematic and hinder the safe exploitation of these innovative tools that can support plant health.

Through stakeholder interviews and workshop, this project seeks to:
- Identify which UK or devolved authority is responsible for approving endophyte-containing plants under various scenarios.
- Understand how current regulations apply, and where gaps exist.
- Build consensus among regulators, policy-makers, researchers, and industry.
- Provide recommendations to ensure that Scotland is ready to make the most of endophyte technology in the future.