Early Discovery, Development & Efficacy Testing
Support your plant protection product development from the earliest stages with expert laboratory bioassays, glasshouse trials and controlled environment testing. Our team delivers reliable data under standard and quarantine conditions, helping you assess performance, refine candidates and progress development with confidence.
Why early testing matters
For every compound that reaches registration, thousands don't make it. The earlier you understand how your compound performs against target pests, in different environments, and against regulatory benchmarks — the better placed you are to invest wisely, protect your IP and avoid costly surprises later. Our multi-stage screening approach is designed to give you that clarity at every step, without committing to large expensive studies before the evidence justifies it.
Officially recognised testing body
We are officially recognised as a component body (ORETO 134) to carry out tests on products for agricultural, horticultural, stored crop and vertebrate control applications including adjuvants and biologicals.
Broad pest and pathogen coverage
We test against fungal plant pathogens, nematodes, insects, mites, weeds, stored product beetles, public health pests, poultry and dust mites, and ants.
Glasshouse and field trial capability
Four onsite field trial plots of 816m² each, a suite of 54 environmentally controlled glasshouses, and dedicated quarantine growth rooms all on one site.
Environmental safety screening built in
Alongside efficacy, we offer individual environmental fate and ecotoxicology screens at discovery stage giving you an early read on any regulatory challenges ahead.
Bespoke by default
Every testing programme is designed around your compound, your target species and your regulatory requirements. Full confidentiality guaranteed.
One in every thousand to five thousand compounds makes it through. We help you find the one.
1.
Primary screen
Rapid laboratory-based tests against fungal plant pathogens, nematodes, insects, mites and weeds. Designed to identify activity quickly, using minimal product, before any larger investment is made.
2.
Secondary screen
Compounds demonstrating primary efficacy move to in-planta testing in glasshouse or controlled environment rooms — applying at high volume or field rate using a laboratory track sprayer.
3.
Tertiary screen
Small plot trials to demonstrate compound field activity. Includes resistance profiling, pre/post emergence herbicide assessment, protective and curative fungicide and insecticide work, and mode of action comparison.
4.
Quaternary screen
Tailored studies based on the cumulative evidence. Includes in-silico mammalian toxicology and ecotoxicology evaluation to identify likely regulatory challenges before committing to formal studies.
Biodegradation in soil
Indicative assessment of how readily your compound breaks down in soil flagging persistence concerns before they become registration blockers.
Adsorption in soil
Early-stage read on how strongly your compound binds to soil particles, informing groundwater and surface water risk at the screening level.
UV degradation
Screening-level assessment of photolytic stability relevant for compounds with direct application to soil or water surfaces.
Aquatic ecotoxicology screen
Indicative assessment of aquatic toxicity across key trophic levels giving you a signal on environmental hazard before full OECD studies are required.
Terrestrial ecotoxicology screen
Early-stage assessment of effects on non-target terrestrial organisms, helping identify potential issues with arthropods, plants and soil organisms.
Chronic ecotoxicology screen
Screening for longer-term ecotoxicological risk signals useful for compounds where acute data looks acceptable but longer-term exposure is a concern.
Original thinking for novel compounds
When standard test methods don't fit your compound, we build new ones. We developed a bespoke nematode screening method for one partner that cut screening times, reduced the volume of product needed per test, and allowed simultaneous assessment of nematicidal and nematostatic effects in a single screen delivering the data they needed to take their compound forward.
]Herbicides, fungicides and more
We cover the full range of plant protection product types — from conventional chemistries to seed treatments, adjuvants and biological controls. Whether you need phytotoxicity compatibility trials run alongside your early screens or expert guidance on the CRD approval process for adjuvants, our team has the experience to support you at every stage of development.
Herbicides and fungicides
Protection from yield-threatening diseases and weeds efficacy testing from first screen to field trial registration data.
Pesticides and insecticides
Screening and registration support for compounds targeting crop pests and insects, including public health and stored product applications.
Seed treatments
Testing programmes to assess resistance to pest attack and environmental stress supporting seed treatment products from early development through to registration.
Adjuvants
We support the CRD approval process for adjuvants used alongside both synthetic and biopesticide active ingredients only approved adjuvants on the HSE list may be used with pesticides.
