Dutch cucumber growers meet to discuss high wire cultivation

Last month, Bayer CropScience Vegetable Seeds, together with Grow Group Baarlo and Gipmans Plants, organized two seminars for cucumber growers.

The agenda included the implementation of the Nunhems variety Hi Power* in traditional cultivation and crop protection. Grow Group focused on the cultivation of cucumber plants, planned cultivation trials and germination tests. Gipmans Plants organized a visit to the lettuce-on-water (hydroponic) cultivation, “Let's Use Aqua”.

Lettuce-on-water

In the Hi Power* presentation of Marcel Huibers (of Bayer CropScience Vegetable Seeds), the emphasis was on the labour friendliness of this variety. Through the open crop, a high harvest can be achieved, requiring less leaf removal. The high productivity of this variety is interesting for growers because of its good shelf life. Furthermore, Hi Power* distinguishes as a higher average fruit weight, causing the average price to be higher.

Jan Hulst of Bayer CropScience then spoke about crop protection and discussed the new growing media Luna Privilege and Previcur Energy. In both meetings the growers praised the effectiveness of Luna Privilege against powdery mildew, botrytis and mycosphaerella. Jan gave further clarification of a leaf picking trial in combination with botrytis inhibition by Luna Privilege, a project that will be developed next year. In regard to Previcur Energy, Jan considered alternating with Aaterra ME, taking into account the advice schedules of Bayer CropScience.

Cucumber growers listen to Marcel Huibers and Jan Hulst

At Grow Group, a closer look was taken at an active way of propagation. With Gipmans, those attending paid a visit to the lettuce-on-water cultivation "Let's Use Aqua". In this system, lettuce is grown on floating tablets continuously supplied with oxygen through aeration. Experts are currently investigating whether other crops can be grown using this system.

More information:
Nunhems Netherlands
Bayer CropScience Vegetable Seeds
P.O. Box 4005
6080 AA Haelen
T: +31 475 599 392
F: +31 475 599 223
E: mirriam.berkers@bayer.com
www.nunhems.com

Publication date: Thu 18 Dec 2014