Alora aims to create the world’s first ocean agriculture system by developing rice with a genetic salt tolerance.

The Norwich Research Park-based company is also creating crops that can withstand high temperatures during heatwaves caused by climate change and global warming.

What Alora's ocean agriculture systems could look like (Image: Alora) It has now begun its first large-scale field trial at the John Innes Centre’s Church Farm in Bawburgh which will see more than 17,000 rice crops planted to test for heat tolerance and increased yields.

Alora believes it is the first time rice will be grown at field-scale in the UK.

READ MORE: Meet the Norwich scientists growing RICE on the ocean to end world hunger

“Because of climate change and global warming we’re getting more heatwaves and spikes in temperature,” Rory Hornby, co-founder of Alora, said.

“Typically, rice is really susceptible to short-term heatwaves, especially when night time temperatures are also high.

“It not only damages yields but the quality........

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