Better control of Crazy Roots with new bioreactor

Dutch horticulture consultant Peter Klapwijk recently attended a users meeting of the new Triton bioreactor from Aqua Terra Nova and Moor Filtertechniek.

“This is an interesting development in a market segment which I expect will become very important in the future,” he writes in his blog. “Water quality, intake of nutrients and micro-organisms are an undeveloped area, but a very important production factor.”

“The Triton filter is a bioreactor that removes organic pollution out of the water by means of micro-organisms that are bred within the reactor. The filter also provides a proper oxygen supply for a balanced micro-flora at the plant roots in the substrate. Water supply system, substrate and roots are not cleaned anymore through a chemical process that also kills the micro biological system. Through Triton this is done by means of a biological system and balance in the water system. This is quite a change for the modern grower, because it was done in a different manner over a long period. However first results are promising.” 

“The first test set-up was tested at Greenbrothers for the growth of eggplants, and this new concept worked! Crazy root growth was better manageable and in the next year testing was extended to a complete nursery section. The same year Triton was tested in a large tomato nursery as well.”

“In 2017 several Triton installations are working in several crops: tomatoes 4x, eggplants and phalaenopsis orchids. The results are generally positive, however all enthusiastic users and involved parties realize that growing on the basis of a biological balance in micro-flora and root environment requires a lot of study.” 

“For this reason the above mentioned suppliers decided to take the initiative to organize the first users meeting. Aim of the meeting was through exchange of know-how and experience learn more of this exciting and (for most of us) new world of roots, micro-flora and intake of nutrients.”

“The main topics and findings about the various crops are:

“During the discussions with the users it became evident that key figures and references about water quality and disease levels are needed. The agro-bacteria is hard to analyze and its presence does not give a complete picture of the degree of crazy roots in the root system.”

Questions posed during the meeting were:

A short report was presented to the Phalaenopsis Thinktank that, through sample taking from a number of test fields, researches the relationship between soil, water quality, nutrient intake and crop quality.”

“During the users meeting arrangements were made to meet on a regular basis, to exchange information, to analyze and to invite experts to further develop know-how regarding nutrient intake and water quality.”

“The meeting proved to be a good start and there is much to do and to learn. We are at the start of a new development and a different thinking mode is required. During the meeting a comparison was made with horticulture in the Seventies. At that time a hesitant start was made with biological pest control. This required a different mindset and a lot of study, but nowadays the phenomenon is completely accepted. A good comparison in the realization that we are living in the 21st century and that things develop faster than ever before”.