Pandemic drives drives purchases of pre-packed produce

COVID-19 has changed the way Australians eat and shop for the long term. Continued restrictions mean fewer shopping trips, bigger basket sizes, more local shopping, and a significant shift toward buying groceries online. With more meals consumed at home, fresh food has taken pride of place in the…

What influence do carbon compounds have on the growth of biofilm?

Organic substances are increasingly discussed in the horticultural sector, and the term carbon compounds is regularly mentioned. But what are carbon compounds? In short, they are compounds that consist mainly of carbon atoms. Carbon compounds are also referred to as organic compounds, but that is not the…

What's the effect of using disinfectants on cultivation gutters?

The time of crop rotation has come. A busy period in which the old crop has to make room for the new crop. To protect the new crop in the best possible way, everything is thoroughly cleaned and disinfected. Especially the greenhouse structure and interior appear not to be able to withstand the…

Pipe rail trolleys in need of cleaning

After a long cultivation season, the pipe rail trolleys are often in need of cleaning. At the end of the year, the trolley platform is likely covered with the plants' green. To make sure the green can easily be removed after the cultivation season, the Frekofix was introduced to the market. Steenks…

'Spring cleaning' in bell pepper greenhouse

Last week, crop rotation started at Kwekerij Litjens in the Netherlands. They began clearing the crops at their Meterik location.  Source: LinkedIn  At the beginning of December, the new plants will arrive, which will yield a lot of yellow and red bell peppers coming season. 

Human transmission important part of greenhouse cleanliness

With crop-rotation coming, it is important to ensure the safety of this process. Compared with traditional greenhouses, the pests and diseases in modern tomato production greenhouses have been greatly reduced, and the use of crop protection is also decreasing. However, viral diseases are still a headache…

CAN (BC): KPU researchers receive NSERC award for biopesticides

A partnership between Kwantlen Polytechnic University researchers and an industry partner has won an innovation award for its work to create natural pesticides to support…

AppHarvest plants first tomato crop

AppHarvest today announced it has planted its first tomato crop at the company’s high-tech controlled environment agriculture facility in Morehead, Ky. The crop is scheduled to be harvested and available at leading U.S. grocery stores in early 2021. The Morehead facility spans 2.76 million square feet,…

RF Agriculture

Turning the page to the next growing season

Benjamin Franklin is quoted saying, “By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.” When considering this quote for the commercial greenhouse operation, it should come as no surprise that preparing for the next growing season is an important task as it sets the tone for the entire season. Starting…

Trianum: Not a picky fungus

Trichoderma harzianum T-22 is not a selective fungus and thrives on pretty much anything that grows and flowers and has roots. This makes Trianum a very rewarding product for many growers, both in the greenhouse and outside. The biological fungicide Trianum is registered in many countries for use in numerous crops, including…

Prevention of droplets inside plastic greenhouse results in 80% reduction of fungicide use

Large condensation droplets cause loss of light in any greenhouse. Furthermore, in plastic greenhouses and tunnels they cause disease-related problems. These problems can be controlled to a large extent by using the AntiCondens coating. "In a plastic greenhouse of one my customers, I once saw a crop…

Mat mounds

If you would go on a greenhouse tour, you are guaranteed to see them a lot: mat mounds. The mounds will not be as large as with waste processing companies when growers change their cultivation, but it is still an impressive picture and a tell-tale sign that the season has come to an end. Also at Dutch grower Kwekerij Moors,…

Spical: The effective weapon against all types of spider mite

Spider mite is the favorite food of the predatory mite in Spical, whose appetite for all species of spider mites means it can be used in many crops. It’s an effective biocontrol solution against the entire ‘spider mite family’! Harmful spider mites come in all sorts of species and sizes. Most spider…

"The right washing program and detergent guarantee killing of the virus on clothing"

Clothing turns out to play an important role in the spread of various viruses in horticulture. Roland van Gulik: "The priority is still not enough with clothing". With his company XL Bedrijfskleding, he informs growers about the importance of a clean wardrobe. Left Kevin van Gulik, right Roland van Gulik…

"The most effective programs are founded on preventative action"

Traditionally, sanitation in the horticultural industry mainly focuses on eliminating plant pathogenic organisms and their host sites to stave off plant diseases. Sanitizing growing facilities is critical in maintaining clean conditions to improve crop health and quality. However, 2020 has elevated…

Dr.Bangemann, Saka Pflanzenzucht

Researchers might have found a way for plants to strike back at viruses

Recently discovered interactions between plant and viral proteins open up new avenues for making plants resistant to viruses, thus safeguarding crop yields in changing climate conditions. Many diseases caused by common plant viruses reduce the crops of important food plants. In the worst case, potato…

Conference shows importance of plant health in protecting horticulture industry, environment

The Plant Health in Horticulture brought over 100 delegates in the horticulture industry and world class speakers such as Professor Nicola Spence, Pippa Greenwood and Dr. Ana…

Newly reared Aphidius Ervi strain strong tool against aphids

Aphids are one of the most destructive crop pests; for many growers it is truly their worst nightmare. Throughout the years, Aphid control in many crops has been depending on using chemical pesticides with the active ingredient of imidacloprid. Imidacloprid is currently in the process of being phased out…

"Grafting with more resistant rootstocks tool in fighting ToBRFV"

Israeli researchers from leading agricultural institutes have found a new way to combat ToBRFV. In 2015, nearly 50% of tomato crops in southern Israel were wiped out as a result of the fungi attacking plants already weakened by TBRFV. Dr. Yuval Kaye is director of vegetable research at the Ramat Negev…

Codema achieves certificate on the CO2 Performance Ladder

Codema recently received the CO2-conscious certificate for achieving level 3 on the CO2 Performance Ladder. It makes the company one of the first companies in the…

Cleaning the crop...

European Commission recognizes biotech company as Europe's most sustainable company

The European Commission has recognized Idai Nature for the international scope of its innovative products that combine productivity and environmental sustainability. More than a hundred companies from all over Europe competed for this award. The finalists included multinationals such as L'Oreal and…

Crop rotation at Westlandpeppers: 'Scrabble words' come to live

Crop rotation is in full swing at Westlandpeppers, grower of bell peppers, chili peppers, and nowadays also herbs. They have been busy clearing out the greenhouses in De Lier these last weeks, and the greenhouse in 's-Gravenzande will follow next week. Chili peppers and mini bell peppers are annual plants.…

An intensive horticulture that prioritizes the health of the consumer

Not only Covid-19 affects our health, but there are many other factors that can compromise our well-being, such as our food. Reducing the allergy risk factors in fruit and vegetable cultivation means a further contribution to protecting the consumer’s health. In this regard, the cultivation company PO Platinum,…

Time to plant the new crops

It's the time of year when growers around the world are switching to a new crop. A great time to take pictures of greenhouses that are spick and span, awaiting the new plants for a new cultivation round. That process is also underway at Thanet Earth now. Grower Richard Kooijman shares a picture of the planting process, as he…

Steenks Service

String machines in times of crop rotation

The end of the year is approaching, and for many greenhouse horticulturists this period is dominated by crop rotation. The crop rotation is the process in which the old crop is removed and the greenhouse is completely cleaned to make way for the new crop. This process is crucial to prevent diseases and…

Special: A clean facility

A clean slate is a perfect start for a new crop. But how do you realize the cleanest greenhouse? What kind of schemes will you apply? And what kind of things should you bear in mind when taking the crop out and preparing for a new crop? And what micro materials can also be usefull?  Usually we present to you the special crop rotation…