The largest strawberry greenhouse in the Netherlands was officially opened on 21 September 2018. At the time, the Dutch Berries greenhouse was 20 hectares in size and had space for two million plants. Less than two years later, the company has added 4.5 hectares of greenhouse on an adjacent plot of land, where they can harvest even more strawberries.
There is also room available here to conduct innovative experiments. On the newly built section, for example, a test has been started with moistening of the crop via a misting system from JB Groep.
Why a misting installation for strawberry cultivation?
Strawberries and other crops grow less quickly or have a lower fruit development with persistent drought and heat. JB Groep explains: "Our high-pressure misting installations have been specially developed for horticulture, among others, and at Dutch Berries it is fully custom-made and installed. The nebulisers ensure that in the greenhouse the desired temperature and humidity are reached. With this more pleasant climate, the strawberry plants are more resistant to extreme conditions, and that benefits the quality of the cultivation."
Test setup with misting installation
In mid-April 2020, JB Groep started to install the Fog-System misting installation at Dutch Berries. This with the aim of keeping the humidity in the storehouse high and to lower the temperature by at least 6 degrees Celsius. JB Groep has made a suitable installation for this. With the cloud system, the company can remotely monitor what the unit is doing and monitor failures, or the need for maintenance or replacement of filters.
The result of the use of nebulisers in strawberry cultivation
Since the first week of May, 400 cc of moisture per square meter has been provided and the temperature in the storehouse has dropped significantly. An additional major advantage for the socially responsible Dutch Berries is that CO2 loss is reduced.
In the previously built section of the strawberry greenhouse, irrigation is still done in the old-fashioned way, so that the changes in growth between the two cultivations can soon be properly compared. The results will then be made available.
For more information:
JB Groep
info@jbgroep.nl
www.jbgroep.nl