Greenhouse growers feel the biggest challenge is consistency. Greenhouse owners, managers, and allied partners feel profitability should take center stage.
The Leafy Green Networking Event at The Ohio Controlled Environment Agriculture Center (OHCEAC) revealed a critical shift in how controlled environment agriculture (CEA) is defining success. While an initial poll suggested consistency was the biggest factor for attendees, a strong counter-argument emerged in side conversations: the ultimate metric should be profitability.
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The conversation centered on practical insights across several key areas.
Lighting and Climate: Prof. Erik Runkle shared specific lighting recommendations and addressed the ongoing balance between capital expenses and operating expenses. Discussions from Rijk Zwaan highlighted how climate factors that promote fast growth, along with issues like calcium availability and root pressure, can lead to challenges such as tip burn.
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Root Health: A major focus was the persistent threat of pathogens like Pythium and Phytophthora. Experts including Soledad Benitez Ponce and Anna Testen emphasized the need for streamlined detection methods and a deeper understanding of how different growing systems, such as DWC and substrate-based systems, affect root health.
The Data Dilemma: Laura S. Bautista Jalon, Ph.D., from Wageningen University & Research outlined Europe's shift toward more sustainable greenhouse production. She stressed that while the industry collects large amounts of data, it often lacks the right plant-specific data at the right time to support informed decisions. This shift also includes legislative momentum toward zero water waste and increased use of biologicals and biostimulants.
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AI and Automation: A panel on data-driven production concluded that AI shows promise in planning, preventing errors, and optimizing the final 20 percent of operations, particularly in energy management and predictive modeling. However, adoption remains early, with some operators hesitant until the technology clearly demonstrates a return on investment.
From new variety trials and microbiome management in CEA to tackling bolting and improving automation and labor efficiency for smaller growers, the event highlighted an industry working through growing pains while staying focused on data-backed efficiency and sustainable growth.
For more information:
Hort Americas
Chris Higgins, President
[email protected]
www.hortamericas.com
