For my business I recently visited the East Malling Research station of the NIAB (National Institute of Agricultural Botany).
Please see the external link below to the East Malling web site for a full explanation of the centre.
A research station was established on the East Malling site in 1913 on the impetus of local fruit growers. The original buildings are still in use today. Some of the finest and most important research on perennial crops has been conducted on the site, resulting in East Malling’s worldwide reputation. Some of the more well-known developments have been achieved in the areas of plant raising, fruit plant culture (especially the development of rootstocks), fruit breeding, ornamental breeding, fruit storage and the biology and control of pests and diseases
In 2016, East Malling Research became part of the National Institute of Agricultural Botany (NIAB) group.
My company has a large amount of equipment in use at the centre for monitoring and logging soil moisture content, soil temperature, soil electrical conductivity, rainfall, wind conditions, humidity and solar radiation.
I noticed in reception that the site welcomed visits and provided tours, also there are courses for the amateur gardener on skills such as pruning and grafting which may be of interest to some of our members. Information on these is attached in the library section.
