Improving tomato commercial outcomes through enhanced vigour and grafting success
Role
Principal Investigator
Description
Our aim is to deliver faster-growing, higher-yielding, healthier tomato plants to benefit Australia’s $570M tomato horticultural industry. Leveraging university expertise and IP in seed germination, plant physiology, and bioelectricity, we are partnering with Rainstick, a globally unique startup developing electric treatments for seeds and plants. The current TRL of 3 reflects proof-of-concept experiments in which Rainstick’s Variable Electric Field (VEF) treatments in tomatoes and other species can induce significant increases in crop growth and yield. By project completion, we expect to be at TRL 5, ready for at-scale trials in commercial facilities, aided by a business plan developed with Main Sequence Ventures.
Date
26 Jun 2025 - 25 Jun 2026
Project Type
N/A
Keywords
tomato cultivation;variable electric fields;Rainstick
Funding Body
Australian Government Department of Education
Amount
48986
Project Team
Jordi Nelis;Lucas Cernusak