Because of the advanced technology of the company, this year the students of the "Horticulture and Quality of fruit and vegetable productions" (held by professor Angelo Signore) courses were also included.
The students who visited the company owned by brothers Enzo and Pasquale Lapietra were able to see put into practice, what they had been studying and had the chance to ask the owners for information which can't be found in books.
The students who visited the company owned by brothers Enzo and Pasquale Lapietra were able to see put into practice, what they had been studying and had the chance to ask the owners for information which can't be found in books.
The Lapietra company is one of the most interesting in the domestic protected cultivation world because it is continuously evolving and the owners make sure they are up to date regarding sustainability and quality.
Established in the 1980s, the company has been producing and selling tomatoes and cucumbers for over 25 years using the soil-less technique.
Each aspect is planned down to the smallest of details. Plants are irrigated using the periodic closed-loop method, which collects the excess of nutrient solution and collects it in a tank. After filtrating and disinfecting it using UV rays and oxidising agents (H2O2, which extends the disinfections), the solution can be used again after its chemical and physical parameters are checked.
From an environmental point of view, this system prevents water rich in nutrients from dispersing and polluting groundwater. Closed-cycle soil-less cultivation systems ensure the total quality of both the products (cherry, plum, salad and zebra tomatoes) and the production process.
The company tries to prevent diseases from spreading by adopting all of the measures that help avoid diseases entering greenhouses i.e. sealing windows with anti-aphid nets, controlling climate conditions and using natural enemies of the pathogens. All of this brings the need for pesticides to a minimum.
Pollination is carried out by bumblebees as artificial pollination is strictly prohibited.
This year, the Lapietra brothers have activated a cogeneration plant which means that a single energy source (methane) can be used to produce electrical energy, thermal energy (with which greenhouses are heated) and CO2 to boost the photosynthesis of plants
During their visit, students could see tomato plants which are up to 17 metres long.
The Lapietra brothers cultivate only one cycle per year - they transplant in December and harvest from March to November.
The produce is harvested by hand and workers have good working conditions, as they are able to maintain the correct posture while picking thanks to rolling forklifts.
Without doubt, one of the main factors behind the success of this technique, on top of the most advanced technology, are the thorough checks performed by the more than fifty employees, technicians and operators, who work side-by-side with the owners: the health of each plant is checked daily, monitoring their height and checking pipes are in full working order! Each worker writes down what checks he performed and any problems he encountered.
Packaging is also carried out at the plant using electronic systems that measure the weight and detect the colour of fruits. The packs arrive on the customer's shelves 12-24 hours from harvesting.
Students reported that, "at the end of the visit, we tasted the tomatoes and were able to carry out a panel test to see what type we preferred. The result was influenced by our personal preferences, but we were able to appreciate the exceptional taste of these tomatoes."
"We were also lucky in the sense that we witnessed the passion and the dedication Enzo and Pasquale have for what they do. You can tell miles away!," conclude the students.
Contacts:
Az. Agr. Fratelli Lapietra s.s.
C.da Stomazzelli n.c.
70043 Monopoli (BA)
Tel./Fax: (+39) 080 6903204
Web: www.fratellilapietra.com