On Wednesday, September 20th started the 10th International Propagation Seminar. It’s organized by Grodan. This year it was located at Bilderberg Europa Hotel Scheveningen in the Netherlands. Andrew Lee and Gonneke Gerkema opened the event. They had a short look to the launch during Greentech of ‘Designed to grow’. “Designed to grow” is a branding initiative to focus public and policymaking attention on sustainable, soilless growing to feed and treat the world’s expanding population. The new direction also emphasizes the need to shift from regulating the method of production to the impact of production. Gonneke: “This initiative is to make stakeholders aware of the benefits of growing by using stonewool.”
André van Wageningen and Maurice Donners, Grodan
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Biodegradable and biobased plastics
Maurice Donners, Grodan, spoke during the seminar about assessing the suitability of bio-based plastics for propagation substrate foils. The plastics wrapping of blocks and slabs are common and functional. The necessity of substrate foils are needed for protection, reflection and it’s used for communication (like mention type and using it for traceability).
HAS University Den Bosch did an extensive research to the effects of block foil. It’s has an important function: Block foil is important for optimal plant development and a stable greenhouse climate.
But then, how to deal with plastics and keep sustainability in mind? Grodan already offers the recycling of the substrates by collecting and shredding it. After shredding it’s divided in plastic, stonewool and organic compartments. Stonewool will be re-used completely. And the plastic compartment is mainly incinerated by energy recovery.
But there is more what Grodan will do. The eco design developments are running. Biodegradable and biobased plastics will be used. In fact … it’s is still there. Tests are running under used conditions and in labs. Grodan has always in mind that the new solutions maintain the benefits of the current used plastics. And it has to be functional during at least 1 year.
Maurice: “We believe a bio-based compostable sleeve is the best solution from both a performance and sustainability perspective.”
Can photosynthesis efficiency sensors, when used in propagation, prevent blind tomato plants? Bert van Tol, Sendot, was the second one to took the floor. Sendot is a start up company and they’ve
already commercialised their Photosynthesis Efficiency sensor. It is used for optimizing growth strategies. Especially when such a sensor can be used in process. Applications in Phalaenopsis growth has proven that not only control of plant quality can be achieved but such sensors can also be used to save energy. More and more applications of this tool prove its added value, to get insight in the plant. In propagation a photosynthesis efficiency sensor can be used to optimize watering and lighting strategy. Recent experiences showed that controlling lighting strategy for tomato propagation reduced the number of blind tomatoes.
Keep your water healthy Werner van Mullekom, AgroZone, spoke about water quality. Horticulture knows that there are a number of different factors that can make the difference between success and failure. One of those factors is water. This you can divide in the water quantity and quality. The water quantity depends on the geographical position, how much you use and reuse. The water quality also depends on the geographical position and how you treat the water. Agrozone has a mission to keep your water as healthy as possible so your crop is as healthy as possible.
Ines van Marrewijk, Normec Groen Agro Control
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Detecting plant diseases in propagation
Ines van Marrewijk, Normec Groen Agro Control, presented the methods of analysis and choosing the right one to order. She provided an overview of all possible techniques on ToBRFV virus, QuickTest, Elisa, Rt-PCR to Sequencing. Furthermore, she explained the significance of testing plants and seeds to ensure disease-free delivery, covering issues such as Fusarium in pepper, Pythium and other viruses.
In vitro propagation of strawberry using stone wool based Vi-tray’s
At Viscon, they focus on developing automation that will help growers thrive. Their current focus is specifically on streamlining and automating certain micropropagation techniques which has been heavily neglected in the past. As a part of this focus, they have developed a new in vitro rooting technique for strawberry cuttings, where they combine a unique rooting tray, known as the ViTray, with stone wool blocks to create efficiently rooted and strong young plants that are guaranteed to survive the transfer to and acclimation in the greenhouse. Additionally, they are investigating the use of Machine Learning and automated digital phenotyping of the young plants rooted in the stone wool trays, to help growers track the performance of these plants and make accurate harvest predictions for their upcoming season. Suzanne Pols, Viscon, presented this innovation.
The effect of water quality on the growth young plants
Ines van Marrewijk, Groen Agro Control, presented even two subjects. In this presentation, various aspects related to water quality were discussed. The environmental influences and sources of water pollution were presented.
A to Z of tomato breeding the Axia Way
A to Z of tomato breeding the Axia Way, shared a story for Axia seeds company. Cees presented their process of acquiring and selecting parental lines for breeding, in the Netherlands. Furthermore, he highlighted their core values, production methods, and quality control procedures that ensure the genetic purity and viability of their seeds.
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For more information:
Grodan P.O.
Box 1160 6040 KD Roermond, The Netherlands
T +31 47 53 53 535
grodan.com