Screen an idea
Identify candidates for further work.
- 1Compare initial options
- 2Investigate feasibility
- 3Identify the next question
COIROLOGY · SCIENCE & GROWING SERVICES
TrialWorks
From a clear question to meaningful growing trials.
Compare products around your crop and business question. Agree controls, record relevant measurements and interpret the findings from your growing trial.
- Trial design
- Plant responses
- Technical reporting
COIROLOGY TRIALWORKS™
Three ways to use TrialWorks™
Start with the decision you need to make. Screening, comparison and commercial evaluation describe trial objectives; location and delivery are agreed separately.
Compare performance
Evaluate against a defined benchmark.
- 1Agree controls and treatments
- 2Set measurements and decision criteria
- 3Interpret results within scope
Evaluate in practice
Assess a shortlisted option in use.
- 1Choose a relevant growing system
- 2Record practical performance
- 3Review limits before wider adoption
COIROLOGY TRIALWORKS™
What can we trial?
For growers and businesses developing growing media, fertilisers, biological inputs, seeds and horticultural technology. Select treatments around a defined question.
Growing Media & Substrates
Product and formulation comparisons.
- Coir substrates
- Peat-free growing media
- Coir + perlite
- Fibre/chip substrates
- Propagation media
- Berry substrates
- Nursery substrates
- Retail growing media
- Wildflower substrates
- Green-roof substrates
- Alternative growing-media materials
Fertilisers & Plant Nutrition
Compare nutritional treatments and application rates.
- Mineral NPK fertilisers
- Organic nutrition
- Controlled-release fertilisers
- Calcium programmes
- Magnesium programmes
- Potassium treatments
- Micronutrients
- Fertigation programmes
- Substrate-integrated nutrition
- Application-rate comparisons
Biologicals & Biostimulants
Performance is measured, not assumed.
- Mycorrhizal fungi
- Beneficial microorganisms
- Biostimulants
- Seaweed-derived products
- Root-development products
- Biological substrate amendments
- Microbial technologies
Seeds & Establishment
Seed × Substrate × Nutrition × Environment
- Germination
- Seedling establishment
- Wildflowers
- Amenity seed
- Propagation
- Root establishment
- Green-roof vegetation
- Restoration planting
Horticultural Technology
Potential trial categories, not claims of completed validation.
- Irrigation treatments
- Growing systems
- Root-zone technologies
- Sensors
- Containers
- Water-management systems
- Controlled-environment technologies
- Other horticultural innovations
EVALUATE IT.
From question to evidence.
One agreed protocol covers the question, controls, experimental unit, replication, randomisation or blocking where appropriate, and the analysis plan. Responsibilities and reporting are agreed before the trial.
- 01
Define
Agree the decision, crop, scope and criteria.
- 02
Design
Set controls, treatments, replication and allocation.
- 03
Prepare
Prepare treatments and record material identity.
- 04
Trial
Coordinate the selected site and responsibilities.
- 05
Measure
Record observations at agreed intervals.
- 06
Compare
Analyse differences and variability using the agreed plan.
- 07
Report
Present findings, photographic records and limitations.
- 08
Next Step
Review whether to refine, investigate further or progress.
COIROLOGY TRIALWORKS™
Where and how will the trial run?
Choose controlled or commercial growing conditions around the question. Coirology’s role, site responsibilities, external analysis and any independent evaluation are specified in the proposal.
01Controlled growing conditions
Defined conditions for comparison
Select a suitable greenhouse or controlled facility for the crop and protocol.
- Facility access and availability
- Agreed environment and management
- Defined responsibility for measurements
02Commercial growing conditions
Evaluation in a relevant production system
Agree site arrangements with the grower and record the management conditions affecting interpretation.
- Relevant crop and production system
- Agreed grower and trial-team responsibilities
- Documented limitations and practical observations
Suitable projects can use commercially rented greenhouse space at the University of Reading, subject to availability and suitability. Rental access does not imply University endorsement or a research partnership. Images illustrate growing settings.
COIROLOGY TRIALWORKS™
What Do We Measure?
Choose measurements, sampling dates and methods around the protocol. Material analysis can support the trial; it does not replace evaluation under growing conditions.
Plant
Potential measurements
- Germination
- Establishment and survival
- Plant height
- Leaf and canopy development
- Plant biomass
- Root development and biomass
- Shoot biomass
- Flowering
- Yield where relevant
- Fruit characteristics
- Visual plant quality
Root Zone
Where relevant
- Substrate moisture
- pH
- EC
- Irrigation response
- Drainage observations
- Root-zone behaviour
- Relevant nutrient characteristics
Visual / Digital
Potential methods
- Standardised photography
- Root photography
- Treatment comparison images
- Growth-stage documentation
- Time-series records
- Visual scoring
- Digital measurements where appropriate
TRIALWORKS™ TECHNICAL REPORT
Your trial evidence and report.
Receive the agreed protocol, observations, treatment comparisons, photographic records, interpretation and review discussion.
- 01Executive Summary
- 02Objective
- 03Methodology
- 04Control & Treatments
- 05Growing Environment
- 06Measurements
- 07Results
- 08Comparison
- 09Photographic Record
- 10Interpretation
- 11Limitations
- 12Recommended Next Step
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The question. The evidence. The next step.
The report connects measured observations with the trial question, analysis and limitations. Raw-data provision, ownership, confidentiality and permission to use results are agreed before work starts.
Decorative report graphic — not measured trial data.
Interpretation with context
COIROLOGY TRIALWORKS™
Why TrialWorks™
A defined question, a documented comparison and a practical review of the evidence.
Decision-led design
Agree the decision and evidence needed before selecting treatments or measurements.
Coordinated delivery
Identify the site, materials, observations and responsibilities within one protocol.
Findings in context
Review the evidence alongside variability, limitations and the next product decision.
Where can you go from here?
Use trial findings to guide further analysis, ongoing crop monitoring or production discussions. Further services are optional and separately scoped.
Compare all servicesFormulate & refine
Substrate Development
How can I develop or improve a growing-medium formulation?
Translate crop, container and irrigation requirements into candidate blends and agreed prototype evaluation.
What you receiveA development brief, agreed samples and a proposed specification with remaining checks identified.
Explore Substrate DevelopmentAnalyse & understand
SubstrateLab™
What is in my substrate, and how does it behave?
Characterise material properties, compare samples and investigate substrate concerns.
What you receiveA technical report interpreting the agreed analysis.
Explore SubstrateLab™Monitor & interpret
Precision Growing
What is happening in my crop and root zone?
Connect sensing, data and agronomic interpretation to support irrigation and crop management.
What you receiveAn agreed monitoring system and support programme.
Explore Precision GrowingPlan commercial production
Manufacturing & Supply
Is the agreed formulation ready to manufacture?
Review production feasibility, product format, quality requirements and delivery scope.
What you receiveAn agreed production specification and supply plan.
Explore Manufacturing & SupplyBRING US YOUR RESEARCH QUESTION
Plan a trial
Tell us your product, crop and the decision you need evidence for. If you are unsure of the design or location, select “Not sure — please advise”.
- 01Your company
- 02Your product & crop
- 03Your trial
Scope and cost depend on crop duration, treatments, replication, sites and specialist measurements. We agree responsibilities, data arrangements, timing and costs before work starts.