Growing tomatoes without entering the greenhouse

The second year of the Dutch experiment Growing Digitally is halfway through. Wim van der Ende (cultivation adviser at DLV GreenQ) is controlling a crop in an area of about 150m2 entirely from a distance from an office. He has not yet been in the glasshouse and relies entirely on the details that he has from measurements and data in order to control the crop.

Up to now, this control from a distance is going according to plan. They are growing with the variety DR1398TH from De Ruiter Seeds. In a different area of the Improvement Centre, they are also growing this variety as a reference crop. This crop is not being controlled from a distance, but is being monitored by the cultivation adviser in the glasshouse.

The information that is necessary to control a glasshouse from a distance consists of strategic information and monitoring information. For this practical research, we are using the following techniques, sensors and devices:

Strategic information:

• Details climate computer
• Crop registration
• Images
• Weight measurements
• Plant temperature camera

Monitoring information:
• Paskal weighing system
• Wireless Value sensors
• Root scanner

A good example of the monitoring information is that in this research, we are using a root scanner. This has been part of the research since the beginning of this year and aims to show the root quality. With this, we can establish root health with the help of a few roots and the colour of the roots, and detect possible problems on time and take action. According to Van der Ende, the crop is looking good and is ready for the summer.

The root scanner give a clear view of root health.

The IDC Digitaal Telen project can be followed on Twitter @Digitaal_Telen