Horticulture Plant Applications

Water treatment for horticulture

Horticultural and greenhouse operations are facing increasing challenges in dealing with sanitation issues related to water treatment. Over the course of growing a crop, pathogenic microorganisms accumulate and algae flourish on moist surfaces posing a constant threat to plants and produce. The main challenges lie the areas of irrigation water, elimination of biofilm and algae control. Existing biocidal products, while effective in killing algae, are not effective in removing biofilm from the water lines. The ultimate solution would be to employ a biocide that is capable to control algae on greenhouse surfaces and strip the biofilm in irrigation lines. Chlorine dioxide has demonstrated to possess both properties.

By Applied Oxidation LLC based in Chattanooga, TENNESSEE (USA).

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Greenhouses Shade Protection for the Horticulture Industry

Nicolon Shade Cloth Fabrics shade horticultural plants grown in commercial nurseries and greenhouses. Manufactured in widths ranging from six to 17 feet (1.80 to 5.20m), Nicolon shade cloth fabrics add beneficial cover for agricultural crops and livestock and can also function as industrial debris nets.

By TenCate Geosynthetics Netherlands bv based in AE in Nijverdal, NETHERLANDS.

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Frost Protection for the Horticulture Industry

The main benefits of the Toptex winter protection fabric can therefore be listed as creating barrier against wind chill and UV radiation, thereby nullifying temperature extremes, allowing the exchange of gases, which leaves the plants to breath and thereby avoids plant disorder. Furthermore, the Toptex winter protection fabric provides necessary light absorption while also allowing water absorption: whether laid on the ground or in the tunnel method, precipitation is carried within the fabric.

By TenCate Geosynthetics Netherlands bv based in AE in Nijverdal, NETHERLANDS.

Electric Heating System for Horticulture and Viticolture

Cofilea is founded in 2005 in Biella, in the north-west of Italy. In 2013, we patented ET-1000 a electric heating technical textile. Cofilea uses this to produce: EH-POWERGROUND. It is a light, water-resistant radiant mat, that can be used for flower farming and horticulture as ground heating on racks, with the purpose of reducing and controlling the duration of the growing period, between the seeding or transplantation and the moment of marketability of the plant. This system is characterized by efficiency reliability and durability, as well as by its easy removal and new installation. EH-POWERBELT. It is a mobile electric heating system, which is applicable on tanks and cisterns to facilitate the fermentation or to maintain a smooth fluidity for the production of wine, oil, vinegar, beer, fruit juices and honey. This system is characterized by efficiency reliability and durability, as well as by its easy removal and new installation.

By Cofilea srl based in Sagliano Micca, ITALY.

Measuring Ion Concentrations in Plant Tissue

Required Apparatus:

Aptisens Digital or Mobile Multiple Ion Kit
Weighing scales
Liquid measurement device e.g. graduated cylinder
Bowl for stirring
Spoon for stirring
Funnel
Filter paper / muslin
Conical flask / vessel

Required chemicals:

Aptisens multiple ion conditioning solution
Aptisens Plant Tissue multiple ion calibration solutions
Deionised water

Sample Preparation:
This preparation can be applied to any plant tissue. Take a sample of lettuce and remove any soil but do not wash the plant tissue as doing so may reduce the number of ions in sample. Weigh this sample and record (say 100 g). Macerate the plant tissue in a blender and add a known amount of hot deionised water to the sample to extract the nutrients. For example, dilute the sample two-fold (200 mL), three-fold (300 mL) or five-fold (500 mL). Ensure all the plant tissue is covered with water and leave to sit for approximately 30 min with some stirring. The sample then needs to be filtered.

Set up a funnel with folded filter paper in a conical flask or any vessel that can hold a funnel. Pour the plant tissue and water into the funnel and allow the mixture to filter. Collect the filtrate.

Calibration:
Before use the multiple ion probe must be conditioned in Aptisens multiple ion conditioning solution. Ensure the correct calibration solutions for a three-point calibration are set up on the Mobile meter or MeterLink. Follow the instructions for calibration and proceed to take a sample reading when the calibration data is ‘very good’ or ‘good’ for all ions.

Sample Reading:
Place the probe in the plant tissue filtrate and ‘Take a Sample’ reading. The concentrations for each ion will be displayed in ppm or mmol / L.

Remember to multiply these concentrations by the dilution factor.

Probe Care:
After taking your reading be sure to remove the sensors from the solution as quickly as possible, rinse with deionised water and replace the cap of the probe

By Aptisens based in Little Island, IRELAND.

Cuttings

Paper pots and glued plugs are very suitable for rooting and raising plants from cuttings. Plugs with pre-dibbled or pre-drilled plant holes are clearly winning ground. And that’s not surprising: they save time and labour. Ever more cuttings are being produced and rooted in areas with a favourable climate and low wages, such as Africa. To minimise the costs of air transport, the plants are loaded into the planes as small as possible, and in as many as possible per tray. The very tender, lightly rooted cuttings in small plugs then undergo a second propagation phase in Europe or North America. They are to this end often inserted into a larger plug with a pre-drilled plant hole (plug-in-plug).

By Green Products B.V. based in Kampen, NETHERLANDS.

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Hydroponics

`A technique of growing plants in nutrient solution”. Hydroponics literally means water-working or water-activation. It is a cultivation technique for growing plants in highly oxygenated, nutrient enriched water, rather than soil. The nutrient solution and its management are the cornerstone for a successful hydroponics system. The function of a hydroponics nutrient solution is to supply the plant roots with water, oxygen and essential mineral elements in soluble form. In soil, biological decomposition breaks down organic matter into basic nutrients that plants feed on. Water dissolves these nutrients which allows uptake by the roots. For a plant to receive a well balanced diet, everything in the soil must be in perfect balance.

By Myron L Company based in Carlsbad, CALIFORNIA (USA).

Tissue Culture

Companies specialising in tissue culture multiply large numbers of plants in a short space of time by propagating plant parts and plant cells in artificial culture media. This is done in vitro under sterile conditions. Unlike with cuttings, the primary rooting often takes place in vitro too. Tissue-culture or in-vitro plants are nowadays used by thousands of growers. For some species, such as Lisianthus, orchids, lilies and various perennials, this is the most common form of propagation. A steadily increasing proportion of such plants now make their way to end users in Greenplugs or Aero NT plugs.

By Green Products B.V. based in Kampen, NETHERLANDS.

Greenhouse Irrigation Management

Why efficient irrigation is important. Water and fertilizers are essential to the growth of your crop. However, these resources are becoming increasingly scarce worldwide. Modern horticulture has various possibilities for saving water and fertilizers. For example, recirculation of drain water reduces consumption by at least 30%. Exact alignment of the plant’s needs and the irrigation also provides an important contribution to savings. An associated advantage is that an optimal irrigation strategy will increase your crop performance and your profit. Water solutions for your horticultural company With sustainable automation solutions from Hoogendoorn, you can regulate the irrigation in your greenhouse and in your open field in a targeted manner. The innovative iSii process computer precisely coordinates the dosage of various water sources such as rainwater, well water and drain water with the demands of the crop. Wherever possible, iSii also regulates the complete recirculation and disinfection of drain water. The advanced software anticipates changing conditions pro-actively. For example, the frequency and duration of irrigation sessions are adjusted prior to times of more or less sunshine. Based on the measured water intake of the plants and the water content of the soil or substrate, the irrigation can be tailored even more precisely to the growth process

By Hoogendoorn based in Vlaardingen, NETHERLANDS.

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