The TRUTH Project (Thriving Roots Underpinning Total Soil Health), spearheaded by BOFIN and its partners, is reshaping how farmers understand and manage their soil and root health. Running from January 2024 to January 2027, this innovative £1M research programme combines cutting-edge technology with farmer-led initiatives to tackle critical challenges in sustainable agriculture. At its core, TRUTH is about empowering farmers with actionable insights and tools to foster healthier soils and crops.
Bridging science and practice
BOFIN leads a consortium that includes the University of Nottingham, the John Innes Centre, PES Technologies and the UK Agri-Tech Centre. Together, they are leveraging advanced scientific research and pioneering sensor technologies to create an accessible, farmer-focused platform. The programme’s flagship sensor, developed by PES Technologies, can detect a soil’s unique biological “signature,” offering over 10 soil health indicators. The sensor is being refined to measure microbial diversity and the fungal-to-bacterial ratio, giving farmers unprecedented insights directly in the field.
Meanwhile, the platform incorporates on-farm soil and root health testing tools validated by farmers, called “Root Rangers.” These farmers are trained in techniques such as shovelomics and soil coring, allowing them to evaluate novel genetics and bioproducts while applying soil science management (SSM) practices effectively.
Building a farmer-led knowledge hub
A key component of TRUTH is the Soil Circle, a free, community-driven initiative open to all farmers. Root Rangers, paid participants in the project, carry out on-farm trials, contribute data, and share findings to promote the adoption of soil and root health innovations.
The TRUTH project has six main objectives:
- Soil/Root health measurement platform
The University of Nottingham is developing a platform that integrates PES sensors, soil microbiome sequencing and root structure analysis. This will enable farmers to directly assess soil and root health indicators and make informed decisions.
- Genetics for root efficiency
The John Innes Centre builds on prior research to explore wheat varieties with enhanced nitrogen use efficiency and root traits, evaluated through on-farm trials.
- Farmer-led trials
BOFIN coordinates trials with Root Rangers, using advanced techniques like ADAS Agronomics and Omnia Terramaps to provide high-quality data for soil health assessments.
- Enhanced soil sensor technology
PES Technologies is expanding the capabilities of their sensors, trained using microbiome sequencing, to deliver robust, field-ready insights.
- Farmer engagement and dissemination
BOFIN manages outreach through the Soil Circle and other channels, ensuring farmers stay at the heart of the project.
- Project management and technical support
The UK Agri-Tech Centre oversees coordination, ensuring outcomes align with farmer needs and the project’s ambitious goals.
Empowering sustainable farming practices
By equipping farmers with innovative tools, actionable data and a collaborative community, TRUTH aims to bridge the gap between cutting-edge science and practical application. From microbial diversity insights to improved crop genetics, TRUTH promises to transform soil health management into a cornerstone of resilient agriculture.