On the 25-hectare site on Warmoeziersweg in Bergschenhoek in the Netherlands, Hollandplant produces young tomato, aubergine, cucumber, sweet pepper, chilli pepper, and bean plants. Orders are received from the whole of north-western Europe, and the products are occasionally
also sent to Spain.
Standard treatment
Hollandplant started using Trianum six years ago. Four years ago, the company began to use ProParva too, on the advice of consultant Jan Rodenrijs from Koppert. Trianum protects the root system by out-competing harmful organisms, while ProParva encourages the growth of the roots and promotes the presence of beneficial micro-organisms in the soil or substrate. Kurt Lauwers is a commercial representative whose working area covers the Netherlands and Belgium. ‘In the past, we used the two products if customers asked for them,’ he says. ‘But we also see the benefits ourselves. Seedlings and young plants are very fragile. The sooner they build up a good root system, the better their development. That is why we chose these two products: they allow us to propagate high-quality products. The application of Trianum and ProParva has become a standard treatment for us.’Better roots, stronger plant
Six and four years ago, Hollandplant performed comparative trials between treated and untreated young plants. The treated plants Always performed better: they had better roots, were stronger, had greater vigour, and were more resilient. Kurt Lauwers explains further: ‘We currently use ProParva and Trianum for every batch and every plant, and in every situation with potential stress: sowing, pricking out, and grafting. For the grafting of tomato and aubergine plants, we actually use the two products twice: on both the rootstock and the graft.’ He sometimes hears stories of growers who experience problems with excessive root growth soon after the delivery of their young plants. ‘Hollandplant has never experienced that. Our clients include companies at which the problem does occur, but always only after a few months.’The right basis
Buyers value the standard treatment with Trianum and ProParva. ‘A grower producer who works in the same kind of way will receive a plant that has already been given the right basis. That can only be beneficial during cultivation.’ Hollandplant is due to sit around the table with Koppert in the near future to discuss other products from the NatuGro series. Kurt Lauwers continues: ‘We want the best plant for every client. Products that can help us to achieve this are welcome.’For more information:
Koppert Biological Systems
Email: [email protected]
www.koppert.com