In collaboration with project financers De Ruiter, Saint-Gobain Cultilene, Philips Lighting, Gremon systems, Delphy and Svensson a group with growers that produce the Juanita variety across the Benelux were invited to share the results.
The afternoon was kicked off by Lisanne Schuddebeurs (Delphy) with an explanation of the test after which the greenhouse section was visited. The growers judged that the test crop looked beautiful and strong. In the specialty segment, everything must be right, and that also is the objective of the test: a high production with a good taste.
The crop had an early planting date and the production started in week 40. Through to week 8 more than 15 kg/m2 was harvested. This is according to the calculated forecast which is based on a higher production than is customary with this cultivation system until now.
The cultivation system of the test also showed its value in the taste segment. Although at the beginning of the cultivation the brix degree remained somewhat behind, brix soon reached a good and competitive degree, measured at a fruit weight of +/- 12 grams; these are figures that meet the quality of the summer.
The crop had an early planting date and the production started in week 40. Through to week 8 more than 15 kg/m2 was harvested. This is according to the calculated forecast which is based on a higher production than is customary with this cultivation system until now.
The cultivation system of the test also showed its value in the taste segment. Although at the beginning of the cultivation the brix degree remained somewhat behind, brix soon reached a good and competitive degree, measured at a fruit weight of +/- 12 grams; these are figures that meet the quality of the summer.
Cultivation under LED lighting can lead to whole new insights for a variety that for years is cultivated by a loyal group of growers (partly under SON-T). After the visit, Koos de Wit (Philips Lighting) answered the questions of the growers about LED lighting in response to what they had seen in the greenhouse. The afternoon was concluded by Paul Arkesteijn (Svensson) about how screens can be used in a cultivation system with 100% LED lighting. The visit ended with a dinner where thoughts regarding cultivation under LED lighting could be exchanged.
In summary it can be said that 100% LED with cherry vine tomatoes, in this case Juanita, leads to higher production while maintaining taste, color, gloss and average fruit weight.
At the end of the season the entire cultivation will be evaluated.
For more information:
Delphy
info@delphy.nl
www.delphy.nl