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Dutch go crazy on weed...duckweed that is

After weeks of preparation, a trial started this summer for the cultivation of duckweed in Dutch plastic greenhouses. Duckweed grows in three basins of 100 m2. The purpose of the experiment is to learn more about growth rates and water purification with duckweed. The cultivated duckweed is sold as a niche product in the glue and coating industry.



"The greenhouses with the ponds were ready and so we could start with the grafting of the weed. After about 1 week the entire pond in greenhouse 1 was filled and likewise the other ponds were filled." Aquafarm reports on the website.



"After a good few weeks, we headed into our first real challenge: strange spots which kept expanding, began to appear on our beautiful green weed. Several attempts to remove the spots did initially not yield anything. The measurements indicated phosphate limitation, which was confirmed by a consulted duckweed specialist. When the stains, after extra feeding, were only getting worse, our researchers found that we had a fungal infection. Probably the warm days in August and condensation in the greenhouses played a part here."

"By irrigation with company water we seem to have overcome our first obstacle. And so we are continuing full out with the production of duckweed and our learning process in Dodewaard's greenhouses."

Read more about the trial here (in Dutch).

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