10137921SNAP - Sustainable Nitrogen Application ProjectActiveGrant for R&DInnovate UKThe Sustainable Nitrogen Application Project (SNAP) will develop techniques for precision application of nitrogen in commercial apple orchards. Standard industry practice is to apply a uniform rate of fertiliser across an orchard or vineyard at set times in the season. However, different trees and different regions in the orchard will have different requirements for fertiliser depending on the size, vigour, and amount of crop on the trees. By varying the rate of nitrogen applied across the orchard, it can be concentrated on trees that need it and are able to use it readily. Weaker areas of the orchard can be strengthened, and overall homogeneity of the growing block can be improved, which leads to higher yields for the grower at harvest. SNAP will use recent developments in crop remote sensing and precision application hardware to help growers optimise and reduce their use of nitrogen fertilisers, whislt driving the global fruit industry's adoption of precision farming techniques. This will deliver benefits to growers through increased yields, and to the wider environment through reduced environmental damage, increased food security and improved climate risk mitigation.