Better plant resilience as well as a clean water system, reducing the need for detergents. For tomato growers Eric and Nicole Geurts, these are the main benefits of the Moleaer installation, which was installed at their growing location at the end of May. Royal Brinkman observes that interest in these installations - which ensure better water quality - is rising sharply. In Netherlands, the availability of subsidy also makes the investment extra interesting.
Working sustainably is an important spearhead at Kwekerij Geurts in Oirlo in northern Limburg. "But our growers' association, Fossa Eugenia, also attaches great importance to this," Eric Geurts says. He grows vine tomatoes on an area of 3.3 hectares. "Together with Fossa Eugenia, we, therefore, started looking at how we could improve plant resilience in order to reduce susceptibility to disease and the use of chemicals. We knocked on Royal Brinkman's door for advice. They drew our attention to the possibilities of the Moleaer system."
The system from US manufacturer Moleaer adds negatively charged oxygen gas particles to the water, improving water quality. The big difference with other techniques is that this is done very efficiently, according to Royal Brinkman's René Mondt. "When the unit makes half a kilo of oxygen, 90 percent of it dissolves in the water of the day's supply. With other techniques, such as aeration, this percentage is significantly lower."
From left to right, Rick Grubben, René Mondt and Nicole, and Eric Geurts at Kwekerij Geurts' Moleaer installation.
Double profit
The fact that the water contains more oxygen clearly has an effect on crop growth, according to Nicole Geurts. "Since we have had the unit in place, the crop is clearly growing better. Root development is good, so the plant absorbs the available nutrients better. The crop is also less susceptible to fungi. A big advantage, especially since fungal pressure has increased due to the fact that we have to be more energy efficient."
Eric Geurts adds that the location's water system remains well clean thanks to the installation. "The negatively charged oxygen gas particles destroy algae and prevent a biofilm from forming in the pipes. As a result, the use of hydrogen peroxide to clean the water pipes is no longer necessary at our nursery. That, too, is a big step forward. Moleaer enables us to work more sustainably and contributes to better plant resistance. A double win, in other words."
Subsidy opportunities
The fact that SIG&F subsidy (formerly GMO) is available for purchasing the unit makes the investment extra interesting. "And because the unit offers multiple benefits, this subsidy can add up considerably," explains René Mondt. "The installation qualifies for this SIG&F subsidy based on its disinfecting and oxidative properties. In this respect, the Moleaer system is unique and sets it apart from other plants. The US manufacturer has also conducted plenty of research to substantiate this, in addition, various external studies and reports underpin the grant award. To specifically initiate a subsidy application, growers should contact their growers' association or a subsidy advisor."
The installation provides tomato growers Nicole and Eric Geurts with multiplied gains
Lots of interest
Rick Grubben of Royal Brinkman says more and more entrepreneurs are interested in the sustainable Moleaer installation. "Indeed, the unit we installed at Kwekerij Geurts was the 200th since 2017. That's when we, as Royal Brinkman, entered into a horticultural partnership with Moleaer. But while the subsidy is a nice extra trigger, it is mainly the cultivation and sustainability benefits that win entrepreneurs over. In addition, legislation is becoming stricter, and the use of pesticides is becoming scarcer, forcing growers to invest in better water quality and plant resistance. This technique helps to take steps forward in both areas!"
For more information:
Royal Brinkman 
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www.royalbrinkman.nl