Emsland Gemuse:
Germany: 10% increase in tomato production through better soil life
A proper soil life provides a considerable increase in yield. Last year the German company Emsland Gemüse started a trial with a new agent by Delgeco and NobleBio. It was administered to the substrate slab, which led to an 8% higher yield in tomato cultivation last year. "The combination of micro-organisms, nutrients and trace elements ensures proper microbial balance in the substrate and not only improves the vitality of the plant but also ensures a healthy root package," explains Ludo Gybels of Delgeco.
Scaled up
This year, the pilot has been scaled up. 1.3 hectares is treated with the agent, the same amount of acreage left untreated for reference purposes. Ton Peters of Emsflower has accompanied the trials and concludes that so far, the treated plants look more vital than the untreated. Preliminary results also find that the yield of treated tomatoes is higher. Last year, the yield of the treated tomato was 8% higher than that of the untreated. This year’s trial already points at 10% higher yields.
Importance of soil life
Gybels explains that the growth of hydroponic cultivation also leads to increased awareness of healthy soil life. "The market share for growing vegetables on substrate has risen sharply in recent years. In open field cultivation you naturally start out with a great diversity of soil life, but in substrate cultivation, your soil is almost sterile by comparison. But diversity of soil life has an important function. Not only does optimal soil ensure necessary plant nutrients, but it also warrants a microbial balance, giving pathogens less chance to take over."
Chemical disinfection
In open ground you would rarely disinfect crops with chlorine or hydrogen peroxide-containing additives," says Gybels. "But with hydroponic cultivation this is often the case. And through the fertile conditions, moisture, temperature and abundance of food, bacteria and fungi can easily grow and lead to excess. " And then you're back to square one. These additives not only harm the existing soil, but the plant as well. "This leads to loss of production.”
Gybels continues: "A better solution would be to make sure that the substrate itself contains diversity of soil life, one that provides a microbial balance around the root. This way, you don’t need hefty interventions, and the plant is not inhibited in its growth.”
Growers are invited to see for themselves. For those interested, please contact Ludo Gybels of Delgeco BVBA.
More information:
Ludo Gybels
Delgeco
Vroenweg 8
3550 Heusden-Zolder
Tel: 0032-475895755
Fax: 0032-11452509
www.delgeco.be