Netafim regularly updates its range of watering systems. Once again, Stefan Bakker reports that there are several new products in the pipeline. He explains that this is certainly necessary in connection with climate change. "Especially in the summer quarter, we are going to have longer periods of extreme drought. And we need a timely response to that."
Less wear-sensitive sprinklers
One such answer is a new innovation in greenhouse sprinklers. "We are currently testing a sprayer that is less wear-sensitive - so it lasts longer. This is economically interesting, but we also see in several crops, such as lettuce, chrysanthemums or phalaenopsis, that there are no more paths. The product is therefore very difficult to reach when it needs to be replaced."
Wear sensitivity is achieved by the type of bearing used. "We make the shift from a previously wet bearing to a dry bearing while keeping the design and interchangeability with existing systems." Indeed, Netafim now has 24 nozzles in its main product groups, but that number is going down drastically. "In this way, we want to offer a good solution in many more situations with far fewer products, without compromising on uniformity."
Low-pressure fogging system
Stefan continues with the new fogger for humidification, the CoolNet. "With this, we want to offer a good solution for both humidification and cuttings irrigation." He explains the usefulness of this innovation. "Sometimes the RH drops in the Netherlands, especially with climate change, then humidification is desirable. Cooling in the greenhouse, but also increasing RH, preventing plant stress, is becoming increasingly important. Especially with easterly winds in summer, because then it gets very hot in the greenhouse."
Too low an RH, especially below 50, can then become problematic. "The plant then has a lot of evaporation space, but the plant can't handle that much and then it closes its stomata. With a low-pressure misting system, you can stay well out of the danger zone, up to 60-65%, while the crop stays dry."
With a high-pressure misting system, you can go higher in RH without the crop getting wet. So why would growers choose a low-pressure misting system anyway? Stefan: "The investment is totally different. With a high-pressure misting system, you shouldn't be surprised at 7.50 euros per square meter. With low pressure, you have to think more about investments of 50 cents to a euro per square meter."
Local irrigation
Finally, the VibroNet: "It is a bit coarser in terms of droplet size - those droplets are a bit smaller than top irrigation and a bit coarser than a fogger. VibroNet is used as a watering system, especially in bay-oriented applications, so you can water per canopy with as little overlap with the neighboring canopy as possible." In terms of cultivation, you have to think of stick trays, Stefan explains. "At such a cultivation stage, it can be difficult to get good uniformity. This is because evaporation is very low, so you need very little water - but you still need to see that you get 500-1000 drops per watering in each plug or unit."
For more information:
Stefan Bakker
Netafim
Aartsdijkweg 22
2676 LE Maasdijk
T: +31 174 525444
M: +31 6 13237160
[email protected]
www.netafim.nl