Dutch growers forced towards emission-free horticulture

January 1st, 2018 will be an important day in Dutch and European horticulture. Residual water flows will then have to be at least 95% free of residues from plant protection products. It sounds far away but much will still have to be done in the horticultural sector to realize it. 

Dutch horticulture has been given the objective of emission-free horticulture in the Netherlands by 2027. Residual water being largely free of plant protection product residues by January 2018 is an important step towards achieving this.

Growers are forced to use fewer products while the infection burden is actually increasing. The recent situation in Ralstonia in rose cultivation is an example of this and may be symptomatic for the situation in greenhouses. Other products and methods may have to be sought to realize emission-free horticulture.

Recent research shows that quite some progress has been made already. The question remains whether this will be enough. Isn’t it time to look at alternative possibilities that effectively address both sides of the issue. No or substantially less problems with fungi etc., so plant protection problems are no longer needed.

This was precisely what motivated Aksel de Lasson of Aqua-Hort from Denmark about 15 years ago: to develop something that would stop Danish growers from suffering from fungi and bacteria. His story is significant to the objective for January 1st, 2018 because fewer residues in residual water are the goal in Denmark as well. Only how were Danish growers going to realize this?

Aksel found that fertilizer with loaded copper instead of copper sulphate provided proper fertilization with copper, with the breaking down of cell walls of harmful fungi and bacteria as a unique side effect. By using loaded copper less plant protection products have to be applied. This fertilizing method will therefore ultimately lead to less residue of substances in residual water.

The situation in Holland and Denmark is just the beginning, and growers all over the world will eventually be forced towards more sustainable production practices. By acting now you can also effectively contribute to achieving the future standards.