More and more growers are recognizing the importance of analysis in optimizing their crops. Globally, there is growing interest in researching water, nutrient solutions, soil, substrates, and crops within the horticulture industry. These analyses provide valuable insights into cultivation, allowing for better control of plant nutrition, health, and yield. To support global growers with sampling and research, Pauline Bugter and Ernesto Bastidas Obando joined Eurofins Agro Testing in Wageningen this autumn.
Seven years ago, Eurofins Agro Testing established an independent division dedicated to greenhouse horticulture. The laboratory receives samples from across the globe, and its work in Wageningen extends beyond just sample analysis. Eurofins actively collaborates on research projects with companies, test stations, and universities, aiming to stay closely involved with growers both in the Netherlands and in regions where greenhouse cultivation is rapidly expanding.
In mid-September, we met Pauline and Ernesto at the office in Wageningen and toured the lab, accompanied by Sjors Beijer, Business Unit Manager for Horticulture.
Pauline, the new International Horticulture Sales Manager, will focus on Europe, where she will frequently be in the field. Ernesto, as Horticulture Business Developer, will concentrate on regions outside Europe. "We're focusing on international markets and see many opportunities to support growers globally with enhanced cultivation insights," Sjors explains.
Pauline and Ernesto in the laboratory in Wageningen
Serving growers
Ernesto brings extensive experience in high-tech agribusiness. When it comes to greenhouse horticulture, he highlights Mexico as a prime example, where he identified significant growth potential during a recent work visit. "You see companies there aiming to expand from 60 to 600 hectares—I'm talking about a single grower, lol! That shows the scale of the opportunities."
Pauline is also well-acquainted with the industry, having previously worked as a technical consultant in floriculture. In her new role, she hopes to connect even more closely with growers. "We're seeing more and more growers operating in multiple countries. At Eurofins, we aim to support them as effectively as possible at their cultivation sites abroad," she says.
Testing with a purpose
Eurofins operates through a network of laboratories, with Sjors quickly listing 14 across Europe, including two in France. "And soon there will be three," he adds, highlighting the company's ongoing growth.
Drawing on his international experience, Ernesto notes the differences in how analyses are approached in the Netherlands compared to other countries. "In the Netherlands, growers usually have a clear objective in mind for their analyses and take a proactive approach, conducting tests at regular intervals to prevent issues rather than fixing them after they occur. Abroad, this is not always the case. Samples are often taken only when problems are already visible, which means action is taken too late. Establishing more regular testing is key to developing a stronger cultivation strategy."
Basic package of tests
Eurofins provides a comprehensive package of analyses for greenhouse horticulture, called Horti Solutions. This package includes various tests, such as those focusing on water quality and plant nutrition. For example, is the source water of good quality? Is the disinfectant effective? Do the nutrients in the water and substrate align with what the plant is absorbing? Regular water testing in the lab provides quick and valuable insights into these questions.
"In many cases, our turnaround time is just one day," Sjors highlights. This can be challenging for a company expanding internationally, but thanks to Eurofins' network of laboratories and efficient logistics, Wageningen manages to deliver. Even for advanced tests that can't be done in Wageningen, the processing time is kept short. "For instance, we conduct microbiome analyses at our lab in Hamburg, Germany. This type of analysis is in high demand, especially due to root problems in peppers," he adds.
Collaborations and data integration
With its ambitions for international growth, Eurofins is actively seeking partnerships with local stakeholders to better serve growers. Additionally, the laboratory company is collaborating with suppliers, providing them with valuable data. "For a fertilizer supplier, offering customer data insights within its own platform adds significant value. We aim to support that process behind the scenes through smart integrations," Sjors explains. Eurofins also sees potential to expand collaborations with more partners and products.
This initiative has been a focus since the greenhouse horticulture division was launched. Data from Eurofins' analysis app can be integrated into the platforms of climate control system providers, for example, allowing growers to view all relevant data—such as information on plant pathogens—in one place. Plant pathology is another key area of analysis for Eurofins.
"Our plant doctors are probably the only ones who get excited about viruses and complex plant diseases," Pauline jokes. Eurofins' Plant Doctors specialize in testing plant material and diagnosing nutrient deficiencies. "They provide expert diagnoses in cases of crop damage and keep growers informed," she adds.
Proactive
Ernesto will be heading to Canada early next month to attend the Canadian Greenhouse Conference, during which he plans to visit local growers and suppliers. This aligns with his goal of providing international support to growers with valuable cultivation insights.
Pauline will also be hitting the field in the coming period. When asked about her aspirations, she replies, "I hope that when I visit the same grower in ten years, he will say that, thanks to our analyses, he has been able to operate his business optimally despite the evolving challenges."
Both Pauline and Ernesto emphasize that Eurofins will always remain a laboratory at its core. "We are not consultants, and we will never dictate what growers should or shouldn't do with their crops. That doesn't align with our service model." Instead, Eurofins offers support through data, reference values, and fertilizer calculations, enabling growers to make informed decisions. For example, this might involve transitioning from growing strawberries outdoors to cultivating them in a greenhouse or expanding from a small tomato crop in a tunnel greenhouse to a high-tech glass greenhouse. As greenhouse horticulture continues to expand internationally, Eurofins, with its growing horticulture team, is eager to grow alongside it.
For more information:
Eurofins Horti
Tel: 088 876 1014
[email protected]
www.eurofins-agro.com/nl-nl/glastuinbouw