“All of our films, except for one, distinguish themselves in that they let all ultraviolet light inside the greenhouse,” said Lane. “Most films and glass block light below 350 nanometers, but light actually hits the greenhouse at levels down to 280 nanometers.” Allowing in that extra light has many benefits for most plants, according to Lane. Early on, he noted that strawberries grown under their first film produced for strawberry crops made for a higher sugar content and more antioxidants. Plant cell walls were also thicker, so plants were less prone to the ill effects of disease. After several years of observing those benefits in strawberries, XL Horticulture teamed up with researchers to determine how their films were making for stronger plants, stronger, more vigorous rooting, and better fruit.
SunMaster SuperThermic which is uv open and diffused. A single skin of SunMaster ST is as thermally efficient as a glasshouse -complete with a thermal screen . It also has anti condensation additive and an anti fog additive to reduce the wet air in the growing environment in the tunnel and so also reduces diseases.
“In 2003 we did a trial with the Horticultural Development Company and a group of researchers to see what our films did in plants other than strawberry plants,” said Lane. It was already scientifically known that low level UV B radiation excited amongst other things cytokinin and flavinoid levels which results in several beneficial effects for brix levels and plant growth. Those findings were true for a variety of plants. Armed with that scientific explanation, XL Horticulture has now been able to convince a large portion of the greenhouse growers in the UK to give their poly films a chance to improve plant performance.
“A lot of growers have now switched over to us,” said Lane. “I'd estimate that we now supply about two-thirds of all poly covers in the UK. Lets face it if you can grow a better crop just by changing your poly, why wouldn't you change?" He added that they can also supply custom poly films for growers anywhere in the world. "Also for other crops, these poly films can add extra value to the growers enterprise. For example, nowadays, there is a rising demand for tomatoes with a high brix values and seed breeders are actually using these values as a selling point. With our films, higher brix levels can be achieved in the fruit. Not only in strawberries but any fruit which is red or blue."
“Our covers are made specific to the geographic region where they will be used,” said Lane. “It depends on the ultraviolet radiation level, and since we know that information for every part of the world, we're able to change the ingredients in the film to make sure it has a good, long life.”
For more information:
XL Horticulture Ltd
Les Lane
les@xlhorticulture.co.uk
Exmouth Road
West Hill
Ottery St. Mary
Devon
EX11 1JZ
Tel: 01404 823044
Fax: 01404 823335
www.xlhorticulture.co.uk