PheroSyn Ltd, a leading innovator in semiochemical-based crop solutions, has secured funding to launch a 12 month project aimed at improving pollination efficiency in protected strawberry production. Funded through the Innovate UK Full ADOPT Grant Round 3, the initiative brings together PheroSyn, AgriSound, and Oakford Farm, a long established, nature-focused West Country farm.

The project, “Trialling a Novel Bee Attractant to Improve Strawberry Pollination,” addresses one of the key challenges in UK soft fruit production: uneven pollination in polytunnels, where up to 90% of UK strawberries are grown. Despite widespread use of bumblebees, growers can still lose up to 9% of fruit through poor pollination, affecting both yield and quality.

PheroSyn will apply its proprietary semiochemical technology to trial novel bee attractant compounds designed to guide pollinator activity to under-pollinated zones. Semiochemicals, nature’s own communication signals, offer a precise and sustainable way to influence insect behaviour without harming pollinators or ecosystems.

Dr Mary Ellis, CEO of PheroSyn Ltd, commented:

“Our semiochemicals can guide pollinator behaviour in a precise, sustainable way. This project enables us to deploy that science on farm, helping ensure pollinators are active where growers need them most, improving yields, reducing waste, and boosting fruit quality.”

AgriSound will complement this work with its advanced bioacoustic monitoring platform, providing real-time data on bee activity across the trial sites. Its technology will support a detailed assessment of how attractants influence pollinator distribution and overall pollination performance.

Casey Woodward, CEO of AgriSound, said:

“Pollination is one of the most important – and least optimised – factors in protected crop production. This project represents a major step forward in giving growers the tools they need to actively manage pollination, rather than simply relying on it.”

Field trials will be conducted across four polytunnels at Oakford Farm, a regenerative, low input farm recognised for its longstanding commitment to working in harmony with nature.

Ben Earle, Partner at Oakford Farm, commented:

“Achieving even pollination across large tunnel systems is a real challenge. We’re pleased to support a project that aligns with our farming philosophy and has the potential to improve productivity sustainably.”

By combining behavioural chemistry, precision monitoring, and on-farm validation, this project aims to demonstrate a scalable model for precision pollination—strengthening productivity, reducing waste, and improving climate resilience across the horticulture sector.

About AgriSound
AgriSound is a UK agri-tech company delivering real-time insights into pollinator activity through advanced bioacoustics monitoring. Founded in 2020, AgriSound’s technologies—including the Polly™ device—enable growers to actively manage pollination performance, supporting improved yields and sustainability outcomes.
www.agrisound.io

About Oakford Farm
Oakford Farm is a long-established West Country farm managed without chemical pesticides or herbicides since 1968. Alongside traditional livestock enterprises, the farm produces tabletop strawberries using organic inputs and maintains species-rich wildflower meadows that support diverse wildlife.
www.oakfordfarm.com